THE 


MINISTRY  OF  RECONCILIATION, 


1. 


ITS  Al'TlIORITT  AND  RESPONSIBILITY : 


THR 


PRIMARY  CHARGE 


DELIVERED 


TO  THE  CLERGY  OF  INDIANA. 


DELIVERED  IN  ST.  PAUL’S  CHURCH,  NEW  ALBAN. 
AT  THE  OPENING  OF  THE  ANNUAL  DIOCESAN 
CONVENTION,  ON  THURSDAY, 

AIAY  11,  1854. 


BY  GEORGE  UPFOLD,  D.D., 

BISHOP  OF  THE  DIOCESE. 


INDIANAPOLIS: 

AUSTIN  H.  BROWN  & CO.,  PRINTERS. 

1854. 


■V 


THE 


MINISTRY  OF  RECONCILIATION, 

ITS  AUTHORITY  AND  RESPONSIBILITY: 

^ THE 

PRIMARY  CHARGE 


DELIVERED 


TO  THE  CLERGY  OF  INDIANA, 

DELIVERED  IN  ST.  PAUL’S  CHURCH,  NEW  ALBANY, 
AT  THE  OPENING  OF  THE  ANNUAL  DIOCESAN 
CONVENTION,  ON  THURSDAY, 

4 MAY  11,  1854. 


BY  GEORGE  UPFOLD,  D.  D., 

BISHOP  OF  THE  DIOCESE. 


INDIANAPOLIS: 

AUSTIN  H.  BROWN  & CO.,  PRINTERS 

1854. 


1 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
' in  2016 


t 


https://archive.org/details/ministryofreconcOOupfo 


i. 


^ 5 

2.  ^ 


PKIMARY  CHARGE. 


My  Brethren  of  the  Clergy: 

In  the  Providence  of  God,  we  occupy  a position,  both 
in  its  social  and  moral  relations,  of  no  little  importance 
and  influence.  To  us  is  given  the  ministry  of  reconcil- 
iation,” by  which  we  are  made  ambassadors  for  Christ,” 
ministers  of  Christ,  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of 
God.”  And  in  the  solemn  “form  and  manner,”  by  which 
we  are  publicly  and  authoritatively  placed  in  this  posi- 
tion, we  are  especially  exhorted,  among  other  things,  “ in 
the  name  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  to  have  in  remem- 
brance into  how  high  a dignity,  and  to  how  weighty  an 
office  and  charge  we  are  called : that  is  to  say,  to  be 
messengers,  watchmen,  and  stewards  of  the  Lord,  to 
teach  and  to  premonish,  to  feed  and  provide  for  the 
Lord’s  family ; to  seek  for  Christ’s  sheep  that  are  dis- 
persed abroad,  and  for  His  children  who  are  in  the  midst 


4 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


of  this  naughty  world,  that  they  may  be  saved  through 
Christ  forever. 

Our  position  and  office  being  of  such  weighty  impor- 
tance, and  of  such  extensive  influence,  in  addressing  you 
on  the  present  occasion,  in  compliance  with  the  Canon 
which  “ declares  it  to  be  proper  that  every  Bishop  of  this 
Church  shall  deliver,  at  least  once  in  three  years,  a charge 
to  the  clergy  of  his  diocese,  the  Ministry  of  Eecon- 
ciLiATioN,  ITS  Authority  and  Responsibility,  hath  com- 
mended itself  to  my  mind  as  an  appropriate  and  instruc- 
tive theme  of  discourse ; and  to  a consideration  thereof 
I invite  your  attention. 

I.  The  kingdom  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ, 
according  to  ancient  prophecy,  was  to  be  a visible,  spirit- 
ual society  on  earth.  Such  a society,  those  inspired  men 
who  have  recorded  the  fulfilment  of  prophecy  in  this  re- 
spect, teach  us,  that  kingdom,  in  its  manifestation  as  the 
visible  church  of  God,  is,  and  that  by  the  appointment  of 
the  predicted  King  himself. 

In  human  affairs,  every  society  has  its  officers.  This, 
relative  to  secular  societies,  is,  in  principle,  an  axiom, 
and  in  practice  of  universal  usage.  The  Church  of 
Christ  being  a society,  the  same  principle  applies  to  it 

* Form  and  manner  of  ordering  priests. 


PRBIARY  CHARGE. 


as  such.  It  must  have  officers.  They  are  necessary  to 
exemplify  its  visibility ; to  govern  and  regulate  its 
affairs ; and  to  extend  and  perpetuate  it  in  the  world. 
And  as  in  secular  societies,  the  officers  of  such  societies 
are  not  self-appointed,  but  chosen  and  invested  with 
authority,  according  to  some  law,  and  by  some  agency 
recognized  by  the  respective  societies  ; so  it  is  with  this 
spiritual  society,  ^Hhe  Church  of  the  living  God,”  and 
its  officers.  They  may  not  assume  the  office.  They 
must  not  send  themselves,  but  be  sent  ^^by  men  who 
have  public  authority  given  unto  them  in  the  congrega- 
tion, to  call  and  send  ministers  into  the  Lord’s  vine- 
yard.” 

These  officers  constitute  the  ministry  of  Christ’s 
church,  the  ministry  of  reconciliation.”  This  ministr}^, 
as  is  the  church  itself,  is  of  Divine  institution.  It  did 
not  originate  with  the  apostles,  but  with  the  Lord  and 
Master,  whose  disciples  they  were.  The  great  Shep- 
herd and  Bishop  of  our  souls,”  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ, 
manifested  His  great  love  and  unceasing  care  for  the 
sheep  who  were  to  be  gathered  out  of  the  world  into 
His  spiritual  fold,  by  instituting  and  appointing  shep- 
herds, to  be  perpetuated  through  all  time,  to  feed,  nur- 
ture, guide,  watch  over,  and  protect  His  flock,  and 
prepare  them  for  those  ‘^green  pastures  and  those  still 


* Article  xxni. 


G 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


waters,”  which  are  the  promised  inheritance  of  the 
faithful.  He  did  not,  as  some  seem  to  imagine,  leave 
His  religion  to  propagate  and  perpetuate  itself  at 
hap-hazard;  nor  commit  its  extension  and  perpetua- 
tion among  all  nations  to  human  devices  and  order- 
ing. He  provided,  in  His  own  infinite  wisdom,  and 
by  His  own  Divine  authority,  an  agency  for  such  ex- 
tension and  perpetuation.  He  instituted  in  His  church 
a ministry;  invested  an  order  of  men  with  authority  to 
teach,  edify,  govern,  and  propagate  the  church ; gave 
them  command  and  power  to  transmit  to  others,  the 
office  and  authority  wherewith  He  had  invested  them ; 
and  added  withal,  a promise  of  His  perpetual  presence 
with  them,  with  those  whom  they  should  commission 
to  succeed  them,  and  with  their  commissioned  suc- 
cessors from  generation  to  generation,  until  the  end 
of  time. 

The  commission  runs  thus  : — All  power,”  said  the 
Lord  Jesus,  ^4s  given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth. 
Go  ye,  therefore,”  addressing  the  eleven  disciples,  ^^and 
teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in  the  name  of  the 
Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the  Holy  Ghost: 
teaching  them  to  observe  whatsover  I have  com- 
manded you : and  Lo ! I am  with  you  always,  even 
unto  the  end  of  the  world.”  This  institution  of  a visi- 
ble and  permanent  ministry,  is  recorded  besides,  with 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


7 


a slight  variation  of  terms,  but  substantially  the  same, 
by  St.  Mark  and  St.  John.  The  gi'eatest  variation  is 
in  St.  John’s  account  of  the  transaction,  in  which,  after 
declaring  the  mission  of  the  apostles  in  general  terms, 
he  narrates  the  form  and  manner  of  the  investiture  of 
the  eleven  with  their  office  and  authority;  together 
with  the  equal  gift  to  all  and  each,  of  a disciplinary 
power,  in  the  absolving  of  penitents  in  the  name  of 
Christ,  and  in  the  exclusion  and  restoration  of  offend- 
ing members  of  the  Church;  technically  called  ‘^the 
power  of  the  keys.”  He  teaches,  moreover,  clearly 
and  authoritatively,  the  necessity  that  the  ministers  of 
Christ  should  be  Bent^  by  those  who  have  authority  to 
8end^  and  that  they  may  not  assume  the  office,  and 
send  themselves.  “ Then  said  Jesus,  Peace  be  unto 
you.  As  my  Father  hath  sent  me,  even  so  send  I 

you.  And  when  he  had  said  this,  he  breathed  on 

them,  and  saith  unto  them.  Receive  ye  the  Holy 
Ghost:  whosesoever  sins  ye  remit,  they  are  remitted 
unto  them,  and  whosesoever  sins  ye  retain,  they  are 
retained.” 

This  commission  was  given  to  the  eleven  Apostles 
officially;  and  was  designed  to  constitute  in  and  through 
them  a visible  and  permanent  ministry^  with  the  power 
of  perpetuating  said  ministry,  through  their  official 
successors^  until  the  end  of  the  Gospel  dispensation. 


8 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


The  terms  of  the  commission,  as  they  are  given  by  St. 
Matthew,  clearly  prove  this  ; and  especially  the  accom- 
panying promise.  Neither  of  these  could  possibly 
apply  and  be  restricted  to  the  Apostles  in  their  per- 
sonal,  but  only  in  their  official  capacity,  and  to  the 
ministry  with  which  they  were  invested.  For,  how 
could  they  'personally  ^Heach  all  nations,  baptizing 
them  ?”  And,  how  could  the  promise,  Lo ! I am 
with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world,” 
apply  exclusively  and  be  restricted  to  men,  mortal  like 
other  men,  and  who  actually  survived  this  investiture 
with  ministerial  authority,  only  a few  years  ? It  was 
the  ministry  they  had  obtained  and  were  invested  with, 
to  which  the  terms  of  the  commission  necessarily  apply 
and  are  restricted ; terms  designed  to  express  its  pur- 
pose and  its  perpetuity  as  ^^an  ordinance  of  divine 
service,”  the  divinely  appointed  agency  for  propagating 
the  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God ;”  building  up,  extend- 
ing, nurturing,  governing,  and  perpetuating  the  church, 
and  ordering  all  things  therein  unto  the  edification  of 
its  members  in  their  most  holy  faith,  and  to  their  final 
salvation. 

This  ministry  began  in  the  off  dal  commissioning  of 
the  eleven  Apostles,  but  not  ending  in  them,  and 
from  them  transmitted  “ through  the  ages  all  along  ” 
unto  the  present  day,  by  the  order  of  which  they  were 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


9 


the  original  possessors : — this  ministry ; — and  that 
doubtless  from  the  personal  instruction  of  our  blessed 
Lord/  during  His  intercourse  of  forty  days  with  the 
ministry  of  His  church,  between  His  resurrection  and 
ascension,  when  He  ‘^commanded  them  many  things 
which  they  were  to  teach  and  do;”  things  not  expressly 
recorded  in  the  brief  narrative  of  the  New  Testament 
but  which  may  be  surely  gathered  from  the  teaching 
and  doings  of  the  apostles  in  accordance  with  their 
Master’s  instruction,  which  are  recorded : — this  min- 
istry partook,  in  its  organization,  of  the  general  form 
and  features  -of  the  preceding  dispensation.  Whilst 
the  apostles  lived,  it  subsisted,  and  has  ever  since 
subsisted,  in  three  orders ; of  Bishops,  at  first  called 
Apostles  and  sometimes  Angels,  possessed  of  and  exer- 
cising the  supreme  authority  and  the  peculiar  func- 
tions which  were  conferred  on  the  eleven  disciples ; 
of  Presbyters  or  Elders,  sometimes  called  Bishops, 
but  invested  only  with  subordinate  authority  and 
functions;  and  of  Deacons,  with  authority  and  func- 
tions subordinate  to  both ; equivalent  to  the  Three 
fold  ministry  in  the  Jewish  Church,  of  High  Priests, 
Priests,  and  Levites. 

The  ^^ministry  of  reconciliation”  we  are  thus  taught 
is  of  Divine  institution  and  appointment,  and  its 
authority  not  of  man,  but  of  God.  We  perceive  too, 

B 


10 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


from  the  farther  teaching  of  the  New  Testament,  that 
the  office  and  the  authority  are  the  considerations  which 
commend  it  to  reverence  and  obedience,  and  not  the 
persons,  nor  the  personal  qualifications  of  the  individuals 
invested  with  it.  This  is  the  express  instruction  of 
the  great  Apostle  of  the  Gentiles:  ‘^God  hath  given 
to  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation;  now  then  we  are 
ambassadors  for  Christ^  Let  a man  so  account  of  us 
as  of  the  ministers  of  Christ  and  stewards  of  the  myste- 
ries of  God.”  ^^Make  full  proof  of  thy  ministry ^ 
Taking  heed  that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed.” 
They  which  are  over  you  in  the  Lord  and  admonish 
you,  esteem  very  highly  in  love  for  their  ivories'  sake.” 
The  official  position  and  authority,  ^rihe  ministry  which 
they  had  received  of  the  Lord,”  constituted  the  only 
claim  and  at  the  same  time  the  rightful  claim  of  St. 
Paul,  and  his  co-workers  in  the  ministiy  of  each  order 
or  grade,  to  reverence  and  obedience.  It  was  not  on 
account  of  any  superior  personal  qualifications,  though 
these  they  eminently  possessed;  nor  was  it  because 
they  were  godly,  learned,  or  eloquent;  but  simply 
and  solely  because  they  ^^had  this  ministry f and 
were  ^^ambassadors  for  Christ;"  men  invested  with 
authority  by  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  through 
His  appointed  agency,  to  minister  in  the  word  and 
sacraments;  men  called  and  sent  to  their  several  min- 
istries, not  by  any  self  assumption  based  on  some 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


11 


imaginary  inward  prompting,  but  called  of  God  as 
were  the  ministers  of  the  preceding  dispensation,  and 
as  was  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Ilimself  in  His  humanity 
to  His  priestly  office,  as  the  same  Apostle  teaches, 
when  he  says:  ^^And  no  man  taketh  this  honor  unto 
himself,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God,  as  was  Aaron; 
so  also  Christ  glorified  not  himself  to  be  made  an 
High  Priest;  but  He  that  said  unto  Him,  Thou  art 
my  Son;  this  day  have  I begotten  thee ;”  and  as  our 
Lord  expressly  taught  when  He  commissioned  the 
eleven  Apostles,  ^^As  my  Father  hath  sent  me,  even 
so  send  I you.” 

Authority  from  Christ,  derived  in  the  way  of  His 
revealed  appointment,  is  essential  to  invest  a man 
with  ^Hhe  ministry  of  reconciliation.”  This  was  the 
doctrine  and  practice  of  the  inspired  Apostles;  this 
is,  and  from  the  beginning  ever  hath  been,  the  teach- 
ing and  usage  of  the  Church  catholic  every  where; 
and  it  is  the  teaching  and  usage  of  our  branch  of 
that  one.  Holy,  Catholic  and  Apostolic  church,  on 
^^sure  warrant  of  Holy  Scripture  and  the  ancient 
authors,”  as  is  dogmatically  declared  in  the  Preface 
to  the  Ordinal.  And  the  principal  and  usage  receives 
an  incontrovertible  sanction,  and  confirmation,  in  the 
known  and  established  usage  of  all  secular  govern- 
ments in  relation  to  their  officers;  to  which,  if  the 


12 


PRDI Aliy  CHARGE. 


flimiliaiity  of  the  example  be  allowable,  I would  advert 
ill  the  way  of  illustration. 

In  the  general  government  under  which  we  are 
priviledged  to  live, — and  the  same  principle  applies 
equally  to  each  State  government,  of  the  Union — 
the  power  to  appoint  to  office  under  that  government, 
is  vested  in  the  chief  magistrate,  the  executive  officer 
of  that  government,  by  and  with  the  advice  and  con- 
sent of  the  Senate.  A commission  from  that  chief 
magistrate  is  indispensable  to  constitute  a person  an 
officer,  whether  civil,  judicial,  diplomatic,  or  military; 
and  essential  to  the  legality  and  validity  of  any 
official  act.  It  is  not  peculiar  and  acknowledged 
personal  fitness  for  the  office,  but  a commission  under 
the  broad  seal  of  the  United  States,  given  by  the 
constitutional  appointing  power.  Without  such  com- 
mission and  so  derived,  no  person  claiming  to  be  a 
government  officer,  would  be  recognized  as  such,  nor 
however  personally  competent,  would  his  official  acts 
be  legal  or  be  accounted  valid. 

A member  of  the  bar,  for  instance,  from  superior 
talents  and  extensive  and  profound  legal  lore,  might 
be  much  more  competent  to  discharge  the  duties  of  a 
judge,  than  the  individual  holding  a commission  to 
that  office.  But,  if  on  this  account,  he  was  to  assume 


PRIMARY.  CHARGE. 


13 


the  office  of  judge,  and  take  his  seat  on  the  bench 
as  a judge,  would  he  be  a judge?  And  supposing 
that  from  his  known  superior  personal  and  professional 
qualifications,  his  assumption  of  the  office  should  re- 
ceive the  sanction  of  his  associates  at  the  bar,  and 
by  the  suitors  in  court  besides,  would  this  invest  him 
with  lawful  judicial  authority?  He  might  call  him- 
self a judge,  and  be  recognized  by  his  friends  as  a 
judge;  but  would  this  make  him  a judge,  and  give 
his  official  acts  and  judgments  as  such,  any  validity, 
or  any  value  whatever? 

A private  soldier,  or  a subordinate  officer  of  the 
army,  might  be  a man  of  superior  courage  and  mili- 
tary skill,  and  in  all  respects  better  qualified  to  com- 
mand the  army,  than  its  lawfully  commissioned  general. 
But  if  this  private  or  subaltern,  was,  on  the  strength 
of  his  superior  qualifications,  to  assume  the  command 
of  the  army ; and  if  the  whole  army  were  so  convinced 
of  his  superior  qualifications,  as  to  submit  to  his  as- 
sumption of  the  office;  would  this  acquiescence  consti- 
tute him  a lawful  general,  invest  him  as  such  with 
rightful  authority,  and  give  validity  to  his  official 
orders  and  acts? 

Suppose  further,  that  this  self-constituted  general 
should  attempt  to  perpetuate  his  office  and  authority, 


14 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


^ and  for  this  purpose  should  appoint  another  subaltern 
officer  or  private  soldier  as  his  coadjutor  and  succes- 
sor, and  should  commission  him  as  a general ; could 
he  give  rank  and  authority  to  another  which  he  himself 
had  merely  assumed,  and  did  not  lawfully  possess? 
And  would  this  coadjutor  and  successor,  whatever 
might  be  his  personal  qualifications,  and  however 
unanimously  the  army  might  acquiesce  in  the  appoint- 
ment, be  any  more  a general  than  the  former,  and  his 
official  orders  and  acts  any  more  valid? 

And  suppose  further  still,  that  the  perpetuation  of 
an  original  unconstitutional  and  self-assumed  office  and 
authority,  should  extend  over  a period  of  many  years, 
during  which  time  the  circumstances  of  the  original 
appointment  had  been  lost  sight  of,  or  was  wilfully 
ignored;  and  that  this  perpetuation  should  embrace 
many  successors ; would  these  successors,  calling  them- 
selves generals,  acting  as  such,  and  being  recognized 
as  such  by  their  adherents,  be  any  more  lawful  gene- 
rals than  the  one  who  had  first  assumed  the  office? 
Would  lapse  of  time  cure  the  original  defect  ? Would 
a sort  of  prescriptive  right,  growing  out  of  long  allowed 
usage,  be  equivalent  to  a commission  from  the  consti- 
tutional source  and  agent  of  official  authority?  And 
would  eminent  or  superior  personal  and  professional 
qualifications  in  the  individuals,  together  with  the 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


15 


acquiescence  and  approval  of  those  over  whom  they 
exercised  authority,  confer  on  them  lawful  rank  and 
authority,  sustain  then:  claim  to  authority,  and  give 
validity  to  their  orders  and  acts? 

Thus  it  is  with  ^^the  ministry  of  reconciliation.”  A 
layman  from  personal  piety  and  zeal,  from  eminent 
talents  and  extensive  attainments,  miy  be  well  quali- 
fied for  the  exercise  of  this  ^‘’ministry.”  He  may  be 
equally  or  better  qualified  than  some,  than  many,  who 
are  duly  and  lawfully  invested  with  the  sacred  office. 
But  were  he,  on  the  strength  of  his  equal  or  superior 
personal  and  professional  qualifications,  to  assume  the 
office,  without  investiture  with  authority  from  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church,  in  the  way  which  He  has 
clearly  instituted,  appointed  and  restricted  authoiity 
to,  as  is  taught  and  exemplified  in  the  scriptures  of 
the  New  Testament,  would  he  be  ^‘an  ambassador  for 
Christ,”  ^^a  minister  of  Christ  and  steward  of  the 
mysteries  of  God?  ’ Would  he  have  any  authority 
to  minister  in  the  w'ord  and  sacraments;  and  would 
his  ministrations  and  official  acts  of  any  kind,  be 
valid?  And  admitting  him  to  be  successful  in  his 
assumed  office,  eminently  successful,  would  this  suc- 
cess make  any  difference,  be  in  any  way  equivalent  for 
a lawful  commission,  invest  him  with  lawful  authority, 
and  give  validity  and  value  to  his  official  acts? 


16 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


Suppose  further,  that  a lawfully  appointed  and  or- 
dained minister  of  Christ”  of  a subordinate  order, 
should  assume  the  office  or  at  least  the  authority  of 
the  superior  order,  to  which  the  great  Head  of  the 
Church  hath  committed  and  restricted  the  ordaining 
and  governing  power;  and  should  proceed  to  confer 
the  superior  office  on  another  person  of  the  same 
subordinate  order  with  himself,  or  on  a mere  layman; 
could  he  give  to  another  authority  which  he  himself 
did  not  possess  and  never  had?  And  would  the 
peculiar  personal  fitness  of  the  giver  or  the  receiver, 
or  both;  or  any  alleged  necessity;  or  their  successful 
ministrations;  or  long  usage  and  the  consent  or  assent 
of  those  to  whom  they  ministered,  make  any  differ- 
ence? Would  these  circumstances,  any  or  all  of 
them,  supercede  a lawful  commission,  establish  their 
claim  to  the  authority  and  functions  of  the  superior 
office,  and  give  validity  to  their  official  acts  and 
ministrations  ? 

The  instances  adduced,  so  far  as  the  principle  is 
concerned,  are  parallel,  and  one  illustrates  the  other. 
It  is  indisputable,  that  authority  must  first  be  ob- 
tained from  the  lawful  source  of  authority,  before  a 
person  can  lawfully  and  validly  exercise  official  func- 
tions of  any  kind,  under  a secular  government.  And 
is  it  not  incontrovertible,  that  a similar  necessity 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


17 


exists,  in  relation  to  the  lawful  exercise  of  official 
functions,  under  a spiritual  government,  such  as  the 
visible  kingdom  and  Church  of  Christ  our  Lord?  A 
man  may  claim  to  participate  ^^the  ministry  of  recon- 
ciliation,” may  call  himself  a minister  of  Christ  and 
steward  of  the  mysteries  of  God,”  may  act  as  such, 
be  recognized  as  such,  nay,  be  eminently  successful 
in  his  assumed  ministrations ; yet,  unless  invested 
with  authority  from  Christ,  he  has  no  part  in  that 
‘^ministry,”  and  is  no  more  a minister  of  Christ,” 
than  is  the  man  who,  without  a commission  from  the 
constitutional  appointing  power  of  the  State,  is  a Judge 
or  a General,  though  he  calls  himself  such,  presumes 
to  act  as  such,  and  is  recognized  as  such  by  his 
adherents,  whether  numerous  or  few. 

We  come  next,  to  an  important  inquiry  connected 
with  the  consideration  of  the  necessity  of  a lawful 
commission  for  investing  a man  with  ^^the  ministry 
of  reconciliation,”  and  with  authority  to  minister  in 
the  word  and  sacraments.  How  is  this  ministry” 
and  its  authority  derived  and  acquired  ? It  can  only 
be  derived  and  acquired  in  two  ways : by  immediate 
inspiration  of  God;  or  hy  trammission  from  those 
who  received  it  originally  and  immediately  from  our 
Lord  Jesus  Christ,  with  command  and  power  to  trans- 
mit it  from  age  to  age. 


18 


PRBIARY  CHARGE. 


The  former  way,  no  one,  except  occasionally  some 
wild  fanatic,  makes  any  pretence  to;  and  even  he,  if 
he  succeeds  in  getting  followers^  forming  a sect,  and 
setting  up  a church,  adopts  and  acts  upon  the  prin- 
ciple of  transmission,  in  perpetuating  the  ministry  of 
the  sect,  such  as  it  is.  Nor  can  any  one,  with  any 
show  of  reason,  make  such  pretence.  For  its  only 
proof  is  the  possession  and  exercise  of  miraculous 
powers.  And  miraculous  powers  have  long  since 
ceased,  by  God’s  ordering,  with  the  necessity  for 
their  exercise,  and  the  causes  which  in  the  earlier 
days  of  our  most  holy  faith,  called  them  forth.  And 
even  then,  the  possession  and  exercise  of  miraculous 
powers,  was  never  regarded  as  a substitute  or  an 
equivalent  for  a lawful  ministerial  commission.  It 
was  only ' corroborative  of  such  commission. 

We  are,  therefore,  restrained  in  the  inquiry  as  to 
the  source  and  mode  of  deriving  and  acquiring  ^^the 
ministry  of  reconciliation”  and  its  authority,  to  the 
way  of  transmission,  by  and  from  those  who  were 
originally  invested  with  authority  by  the  great  Head 
of  the  Church,  to  transmit  and  perpetuate  that  min- 
istry.” And  it  is  the  way  which  the  scriptures  of 
the  New  Testament  clearly  indicate  and  exemplify. 
Thus  it  was  that  Matthias  was  numbered  with  the 
eleven  Apostles.”  For  although  the  precise  mode 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


19 


of  bis  investiture  is  not  recorded  in  the  purposely 
brief  narrative  of  the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  which 
purports  to  relate,  not  all  things,  but  only  mm  things 
done  by  the  Apostles,  and  they  mostly  on  account  of 
their  peculiar  bearing  on  the  common  faith;  and  is  con- 
fined principally  to  the  acts  of  only  one  of  the  Apostles, 
St.  Paul ; yet  it  is  evident  that  Matthias,  after  his  desig- 
nation to  the  Apostolic  office  by  lot,  was  invested 
with  authority  by  the  agency  of  the  Apostles;  that 
he  did  not  send  himself  but  was  sent  by  them.  In 
the  same  way  and  by  the  same  agency,  it  is  clear 
the  seven  deacons  were  set  apart  to  the  work  of  their 
subordinate  grade  and  functions  in  ^^the  ministry  of 
reconciliation.”  So  also  in  the  case  of  St.  Paul, 
though  his  designation  to  his  ministry  and  apostle- 
ship”  was  supernatural,  yet  there  was  manifestly  no 
self-assumption  of  the  office.  He  was  ^^an  Apostle, 
not  of  men,  neither  by  man.”  He  was  sent  as  were 
all  others.  And  although  in  the  narrative  of  liis 
miraculous  conversion,  there  is  no  record  of  his  formal 
ordination,  yet  from  the  fact  which  is  revealed,  that 
Barnabas,  himself  an  Apostle,  ^‘took  him  and  brought 
him  to  the  Apostles”  at  Jerusalem,  and  announced 
to  them  his  supernatural  call  to  the  ministry,  there 
is  good  reason  to  suppose  that  there  was  such  an 
ordination  at  that  time;  and  there  is  no  reason  to 
suppose,  and  no  proof  there  was  not.  And  the  pre- 


20 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


sumption  is  sanctioned  and  strengthened  by  his  sub- 
sequent teaching  and  practice  in  the  premises.  Thus 
also  were  Timothy  and  Titus,  historically  the  first  Bis- 
hops respectively  of  Ephesus  and  Crete,  invested  with 
the  office  and  authority  of  Apostles  or  Bishops,  with 
commission  and  command  to  transmit  ministerial  au- 
thority, in  its  several  grades  or  orders.  “ The  things 
that  thou  hast  h3ard  of  me  among  many  witnesses, 
the  Same  commit  thou  to  faithful  men,  who  shall  be 
able  to  teach  others  also but  lay  hands  suddenly 
on  no  man,”  writes  St.  Paul  to  the  former  Bishop  who 
had  “received  the  gift”  of  apostolical  authority  by 
“ the  putting  on  of  the  hands  ” of  that  eminent  Apos- 
tle. And  to  the  Bishop  of  Crete,  the  same  apostle 
writes:  “For  this  cause  left  I thee  in  Crete,  that  thou 
shouldest  set  in  order  the  things  that  are  wanting,  and 
ordain  eiders  in  every  city,  as  I had  appointed  thee.” 
And  thus  also,  “Paul  and  Barnabas”  as  apostles  of 
Christ,  “ ordained  them  elders  in  every  church.” 

Now  this  is  the  principle  of  apostolic  succession,  for 
holding  and  teaching  which,  we  are  not  only  censured, 
but  reproached,  and  accused  of  holding  one  of  the  worst 
errors  of  Popery.  I say  it  is  the  principle  ; for  of  the 
channel,  which  the  instances  adduced  teach  and  exem- 
plify, I shall  speak  presently.  And  so  far  as  the  prin- 
ciple is  concerned,  they  who  repudiate  and  condemn 


PRDIARY  CHARGE. 


21 


it,  practically  adopt  and  act  upon,  just  as  much  as  we 
do  who  avow  and  maintain  it.  And  they  do  so  of 
necessity ; for  unless  the  principle  is  acted  upon,  there 
can  be  no  pretence  to  any  ministerial  authority  what- 
ever, and  no  evidence  thereof  It  is  notorious,  there- 
fore, that  such  is  the  usage  of  the  various  religious 
denominations  in  the  land,  with  scarcely  an  exception.* 
They  do  not  account  or  recognize  any  man  as  a min- 
ister among  them,  unless  he  has  been  formally  ordained 
and  set  apart  to  the  office,  by  one  or  more  accredited 
ministers  who  have  been  ordained  and  set  apart  in  the 
same  way.  And  what  is  this,  but  derivation  of  min- 
isterial authority  by  transmission  and  succession  ? No 
matter  how  remote  or  how  near  the  original  source  of 
such  ministerial  authority ; whether  it  is  traced  back 
three  hundred,  or  one  hundred,  or  fifty,  or  twenty,  or 
ten  years,  it  is  in  prlncijjle,  succession.  Practically,  aU 
who  pretend  to  authority  as  ^-ministers  of  Christ,”  de- 
rive such  authority  as  they  deem  themselves  to  possess, 
in  this  way,  and  can  derive  it  in  no  other  way,  save  by 
immediate  inspiration  of  God,  the  proof  and  test  of 
which,  as  before  remarked,  is  the  power  of  working, 
and  the  actual  working  of  undeniable  miracles. 

So  far,  then,  as  the  principle  of  succession  is  con- 
cerned, and,  indeed,  an  actual  succession  of  its  kind, 

* “The  Society  of  Friends/’  or  Quakers,  and  one  sect  of  Baptists,  it  is  believed 
form  the  only  exception. 


22 


PRBIARY  CHARGE. 


there  is  no  difference  between  the  church,  and  they 
who  are,  by  their  own  will  and  act,  outside  of  the 
church.  The.  only  difference  is  the  channel  of  this 
transmission  and  succession.  This  we  hold  and  teach 
to  be,  in  the  superior  order  of  ‘^the  ministry  of  recon- 
ciliation,” the  order  of  Bishops,  at  first  called  Apostles, 
and  that  it  is  restricted  to  that  order,  x^nd  we  so 
hold  and  teach,  because  the  authority  and  power  to 
transmit  the  office  and  authority  of  that  ministry,  was 
o’iginally  conferred  on  and  restricted  to  that  superior 
order  by  the  great  Head  of  the  Church,  our  Lord  and 
Saviour  Jesus  Christ,  in  his  recorded  commission  to 
the  eleven  apostles,  as  its  terms  manifestly  imply ; and 
as  is  further  evident  from  the  fact,  that  apostles 
exclusively,  without  any  exception,  exercised  that 
authority  and  power,  in  every  recorded  instance  of 
ordination  to  ^Hhe  ministry  of  reconciliation”  in  the 
scriptures  of  the  New  Testament.  There  is  also  addi- 
tional proof,  in  the  silence  of  those  Scriptures  in  their 
general  teaching  concerning  the  church  and  its  minis- 
try, of  the  possession  or  exercise  of  the  authority  and 
power,  by  any  others  than  apostles ; while  in  the  par- 
ticular teaching  of  St.  Paul,  in  his  epistles  to  the  two 
apostles  or  bishops  who  were  ordained  and  set  apart  to 
that  office  and  dignity  by  the  ‘^laying  on  of  his  hands,” 
Timothy  and  Titus,  its  exercise  is  expressly  restricted 
to  them  in  that,  their  official  capacity. 


PRMARY  CHARGE. 


23 


We  so  hold  and  teach,  moreover,  because  such  was 
the  teaching  and  usage  of  the  Church  of  God,  quod 
mn'per^  quod  iihlque,  et  quod  ah  omnibus^''  as  is  clearly 
proven  in  the  works  of  the  early  Christian  writers,  his- 
torical, didactic,  and  devotional : those  who  were  cotem- 
poraries of  the  original  apostles,  and  received  the  doc- 
trine and  usage  directly  from  them ; and  those  who  lived 
in  the  age  immediately  succeeding,  when  the  teaching 
of  the  apostles  was  green  in  the  memory  of  all,  and  who 
could  no  more  be  mistaken  as  to  what  the  apostles  taught 
and  did,  and  as  to  the  usage  of  the  church  every 
where,  an  usage  established  by  their  teaching  and 
example,  than  we  can  be  mistaken  as  to  what  trans- 
pired in  the  transmission  and  conveyance  of  the  apos- 
tolic succession  to  our  branch  of  the  church,  in  the 
consecration  in  Scotland  and  in  England  of  our  first 
three  Bishops.  The  evidence,  indeed,  that  the  superior 
order  of  Bishops  was  and  is  the  rightful  and  restricted 
channel  of  the  succession,  is  the  same  that  we  possess 
and  are  of  necessity  restricted  to,  in  proof  of  the  gen- 
uineness and  authenticity  of  the  scriptures  of  the  New 
Testament:  the  testimony  of  those  who  were  living 
when  those  scriptures  were  written,  and  received  by 
the  church,  as  the  inspired  word  of  God ; and  of  those 
who  were  living  in  the  age  immediately  succeeding, 
and  were  cognizant  of  the  fact  of  their  universal  recog- 
nition and  reception  as  such.  Without  such  testimony 


24 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


we  cannot  prove,  except  by  inference  from  the  charac- 
ter of  their  contents,  and  that  is  imperfect  evidence, 
the  genuineness,  authenticity,  and  authority  of  the 
scriptures  of  the  New  Testament.  With  and  by  such 
testimony  we  prove  the  fact  of  the  doctrine  and  usage 
of  the  succession  in  the  superior  order  of  Bishops.  If 
the  proof  is  sufficient,  as  all  who  receive  those  scrip- 
tures as  the  inspired  word  of  God  admit,  in  the  one 
case,  is  it  insufficient  and  of  no  weight  of  authority, 
seeing  it  is  precisely  the  same,  in  the  other  case  ? 

That  which  we  hold  and  teach  to  be  the  exclusive 
channel  of  the  transmission  of  authority  to  minister  in 
the  word  and  sacraments  in  the  Church  of  God,  our 
branch  of  that  one,  holy.  Catholic,  and  Apostolic 
Church,  does  most  surely  possess.  We  have  this  succes- 
sion from  the  original  Apostles,  entire  and  unbroken, 
with  its  necessary  and  accompanying  mission.  It  is  no 
fanciful  claim,  no  absurd  pretence,  no  arrogant  assump- 
tion. We  derive  our  office  and  authority  as  partici- 
pants of  the  ministry  of  reconciliation,”  lawfully  and 
rightly,  from  the  Divine  fountain  of  authority,  in  unin- 
terrupted transmission  through  the  superior  order  of 
Bishops  or  Apostles.  And  this  transmission  and  suc- 
cession we  trace  back  to  the  original  Apostles,  not 
through  one  but  several  lines  of  descent,  extending 
down  to  the  latest  consecrated  bishop  in  our  Deformed 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


25 


and  Protestant  branch  of  the  church.  There  are  in 
our  possession  well  authenticated,  nay  indisputable, 
catalogues  of  this  uninterrupted  succession  of  Bishops 
in  several  distinct  channels  from  several  of  the  original 
Apostles:*  and  that,  too,  independent  of  the  succes- 
sion through  the  Church  of  Pome,  which,  however, 
the  perversions  of,  and  additions  to  the  faith,  of  that 
branch  of  the  Catholic  Church,  its  vicious  morality  and 
corrupt  practice,  could  not  break  nor  vitiate,  any  more 
than  some  rusted  links  in  a chain  could  destroy  the 
integrity  of  the  chain ; or  the  mudding  or  the  freezing 
over  of  any  portion  of  a stream  could  affect  its  iden- 
tity and  prevent  it  from  flowing  on  from  its  fountain 
head  to  the  ocean. 

Besides,  if  these  historical  documents,  the  records 
of  the  succession  of  Bishops  in  certain  prominent  Sees 
were  lost,  or  were  justly  liable  to  suspicion  in  any 
portion  of  their  details,  we  stand,  nevertheless,  on  the 
same  unshaken  foundation  of  authority.  For  the  suc- 
cession we  teach  and  maintain,  is  not,  as  is  commonly 
and  erroneously  supposed,  a descent  of  ministerial 
authority  from  the  Apostles  by  one  single  chain  of 
successive  links,  or  in  one  single  channel  of  transmis- 
sion; but  a descent  from  the  original  fountain  in  in- 
numerable  streams  flowing  there  from  the  main  stream, 


* See  Appendix. 


26 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


ramifying  in  all  directions  from  the  main  stream,  and 
multiplying  as  the  church  extended  itself  throughout 
the  world.  Such  is  the  succession  we  teach  and  have. 
And  besides  the  promise  of  our  blessed  Lord,  of  the 
permanence  and  perpetuity  of  this  ministiy  of  His 
divine  institution  and  appointment,  included  in  His 
commission  to  the  eleven  Apostles,  a promise  as  immu- 
table as  Himself,  and  which  cannot  fail  ; the  moral 
impossibility  of  a failure  in  the  succession,  may  be  per- 
ceived from  a moment  s consideration  of  the  law  and 
usage  of  the  church  universal  from  the  beginning,  rela- 
tive to  the  ordination  and  consecration  of  Bishops. 
This  law  and  usage  requh’e  as  essential  to  a canonical 
consecration,  in  every  branch  of  the  church,  the  pre- 
sence and  co-operation  of  at  least  three  Bishops,  in  ^Hhe 
laying  on  of  hands  ” in  such  solemnity;  each  of  whom 
has  been  consecrated  and  set  apart  to  the  office  in 
the  same  way  by  three  Bishops.  Now  estimate  this 
law  and  usage,  in  its  practical  operation,  on  the  prin- 
ciple of  simple  arithmetical  progression,  carried  over  a 
space  of  more  than  eighteen  hundred  years,  and  in 
constant  operation,  as  history  proves,  in  various  parts 
of  the  world ; and  say,  whether  a succession  so  perpet- 
uated, is  exposed  to  failure,  or  can  possibly  fail? 

II.  This  " ministry  of  reconciliation,”  derived  as  we 
have  seen  from  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  is  ^^Head 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


27 


over  all  things  to  the  church,  which  is  His  body,”  and 
the  onhj^  because  the  divine  fountain  of  authority;  and 
derived  in  unbroken  succession  in  the  superior  order 
of  Bishops  through  the  ages  all  along,”  is  an  inestim- 
able possession  and  privilege.  We  may  with  pro- 
priety and  very  justly  magnify  our  office,”  and  value 
ourselves  upon  a gift  so  precious.  But  it  becomes  us, 
at  the  same  time,  to  take  earnest  heed  that  we  stir 
up  the  gift  of  God  which  is  in  us,  by  the  putting  of 
hands  ” invested  with  apostolic  authority ; and  be  dili- 
gent and  faithful  in  making  full  proof  of  a ministry” 
so  derived  and  obtained.  Othenvise,  the  valuing  of 
ourselves  on  its  possession,  is  only  vain  boasting  and 
sinful  pride. 

Let  me,  then,  trespass  a little  longer  on  your  atten- 
tion, while,  with  as  much  brevity  as  possible,  I lead 
you  to  consider  the  responsibility  of  “the  ministry 
of  reconciliation,”  and  that  in  particular  reference  to 
the  prominent  duties  of  the  pastoral  office. 

This  RESPONSIBILITY  Springs  from  the  very  nature 
and  purpose  of  our  ministry,  as  set  forth  in  the  scrip- 
tures of  the  New  Testament.  We,  are  “laborers  to- 
gether with  God,”  co-workers  with  the  “High  and  lofty 
One  who  inhabiteth  eternity,  and  whose  name  is  Holy,” 
in  evangelizing  the  world,  irradiating  it  with  moral  light, 


28 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


emancipating  it  from  the  bondage  of  sin,  and  Satan, 
and  “bringing  it  into  the  glorious  liberty  of  the  chil- 
dren of  God.”  We  are  “ambassadors  for  Christ,” 
charged  by  Him  our  Lord  and  King,  with  an  embassy 
of  amity  and  good  will  to  His  rebellious  subjects; 
appointed  to  bear  a message  of  “grace,  mercy,  and 
peace,  from  God  the  Father,  and  from  the  Lord  Jesus 
Christ,”  to  a race  of  depraved  intelligences,  the  “enemies 
of  God  by  wicked  works,”  involved  in  guilt  and  sin, 
condemned  and  “ready  to  perish.”  We  are  “minis- 
isters of  Christ  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God,” 
commissioned  to  offer  to  sinful  men,  pardon,  recon- 
ciliation, and  salvation,  tln’ough  that  precious  blood 
of  atonement  and  propitiation  shed  upon  the  cross; 
and  dispense  the  sacramental  pledges  thereof  to  the 
penitent  and  believing.  The  eternal  interests  of  our 
fellow  men  are  entrusted  to  us,  and  we  are  “ to  watch 
for  their  souls  as  they  who  must  give  account.”  We 
are  to  initiate  them  by  the  divinely  appointed  sacra- 
ment of  initiation.  Holy  Baptism,  into  the  covenant 
of  grace  and  salvation;  enroll  them  as  members  of 
“the  household  of  faith,”  the  one  visible  Church  of 
the  Redeemer  on  earth;  and  as  “stewards”  of  that 
spiritual  household,  impart  unto  them  “their  portion 
of  meat  in  due  season ;”  “build  them  up  in  their  most 
holy  faith;”  “reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long 
suffering  and  doctrine;”  comfort,  console,  encourage, 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


29. 


strengthen  them  in  all  godliness  of  living;  dispense 
to  them  sacramentally,  the  bread  of  life,”  and  the 

cup  of  salvation and  thus  feed  them  with  food 
convenient  for  them,”  nurture  them  in  holiness,  good- 
ness, and  truth,  and  train  them  for  heaven. 

Entrusted  with  such  a ^^weighty  charge,”  involving 
consequences  of  spiritual  life  or  death,  our  office  is 
truly  of  deep  responsibility.  While,  as  the  sw^orn  sol- 
diers of  the  cross  of  Christ,  to  shrink  from  this  respon- 
sibility, throw  down  our  arms,  and  desert  our  colors, 
wnuld  be  rank  cowardice,  it  surel}^  becomes  us  to  ^diave 
it  in  constant  remembrance,”  and  make  it  an  ever  pre- 
sent and  influential  motive  to  fidelity  in  our  high 
trust;  to  untiring  zeal  and  diligence  in  our  endeavors 
to  fulfil  to  the  uttermost  our  sacred  mission;  and  to 
frequent  and  fervent  prayer  for  Divine  counsel,  guid- 
ance, and  strength. 

With  a view,  then,  to  a more  definite  conceptio  i of 
the  responsibility  that  rests  upon  us,  a consideration 
of  some  of  the  prominent  duties  of  our  office  and  min- 
istry, as  pastors  of  the  flock  of  Christ,  is  important. 
And  to  this  I proceed. 

One  prominent  duty  is  ^^prayer  and  the  ministry  of 
the  word :”  in  other  words,  the  exercise  of  our  ministry 


30 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


in  celebrating  the  worship  of  the  church,  and  in  right- 
ly and  duly  administering  God’s  holy  sacraments;”  in 
offering,  as  orators  for  the  people,  confession,  sunj  lica- 
tion,  praise,  and  thanksgiving;  in  reading  lessons  of  holy 
scripture;  and  in  explaining,  illustrating,  and  enforc- 
ing the  doctrinal  and  preceptive  truths  thereof,  by  the 
public  “preaching  of  the  word.” 

Responsibility  rests  on  the  “ministers  of  Christ,” 
relative  to  the  manner  of  celebrating  divine  worship. 
They  are  bound  to  celebrate  it,  so  as  most  to  promote 
the  glory  of  God,  and  the  edification  of  the  wor- 
shippers; not  in  a pompous  and  affected,  nor  in  a 
careless  and  slovenly  manner;  but  reverently,  under 
an  abiding  sense  of  God’s  presence ; decorously,  as 
becometh  creatures  addressing  the  Creator ; fervently, 
unaffectedly,  in  “all  simplicity  and  godly  sincerity,” 
as  feeling  in  the  depths  of  their  own  hearts,  the  desires 
to  which  they  give  utterance ; the  sin,  guilt,  and  un- 
worthiness they  confess  and  deprecate;  the  necessity 
for  the  pardoning,  purifying,  enlightening,  and  envigo- 
rating  grace  they  invoke ; and  the  blessings  of  good- 
ness and  mercy  they  acknowledge,  in  fitting  words  of 
praise  and  thanksgiving. 

In  the  preaching  of  the  word  also,  there  is  a weighty 
responsibility;  a responsibility  growing  out  of  the  very 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


31 


nature  and  purpose  of  the  duty,  which  is,  to  warn  the 
sinner  of  the  error  of  his  ways;  convict  the  conscience 
and  move  the  heart  of  the  careless  and  impenitent ; 
awaken  the  spiritual  slumberer  from  his  sleep  of  death; 
comfort,  encourage,  strengthen  for  duty  and  conflict, 
and  inspire  with  invigorated  faith  and  holy  hope,  the 
humble  believer;  inform  the  understanding  and  excite 
the  devout  affections  of  all;  win  immortal  souls  to 
Christ,  and  keep  them  “steadfast,  immoveable,  always 
abounding  in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  that  so  their  labor 
may  not  be  in  vain  in  the  Lord.” 

Our  responsibility  in  this  respect,  is  enhanced  by  the 
peculiar  moral  condition  and  circumstances  of  the  times 
in  which  we  live.  These  are  generally  antagonistical 
to  the  true  faith  of  Christ.  Serious  error  in  religion, 
great  worldliness,  with  alas!  viciousness  of  life,  exten- 
sively prevail.  Infidelity,  open  and  avowed,  or  work- 
ing its  malign  influence  under  the  insidious  guise  of 
newly  developed  religious  truth,  and  a one  virtue,  tran- 
scendental morality,  made  a substitute  or  an  equivalent 
for  faith,  holiness,  brotherly  kindness,  charity,  and  all 
the  other  virtues  and  graces  of  the  Christian  character, 
abounds.  A vitiated  public  taste,  vitiated  from  these 
causes,  demands  either  the  concealment  of  “the  truth 
as  it  is  in  Jesus,”  or  the  explaining  it  away  and  soft- 
ening its  alleged  asperity  and  uncompromising  stern- 


32 


rillMARY  CHARGE. 


ness;  and  tlie  adaptation  of  religious  teaching  to  the 
boasted  intellectual  refinement,  superior  intelligence, 
and  social  progress  of  the  age.  Popular  themes,  em- 
bracing the  various  and  cumulating  moral  theories, 
schemes,  ^^causes,”  and  of  the  day,  are  re- 

garded as  desirable  substitutes  for  the  wholesome  doc- 
trines of  the  cross,  and  the  pure,  integral,  and  practical 
morality  of  the  gospel.  These  demands  of  a vitiated 
public  taste,  are  yielded  to,  in  too  many  instances,  by 
the  recognized  teachers  of  religion.  From  a love  of 
popularity,  or  from  a dread  of  unpopularity,  they  intro- 
duce themes  extraneous  to  the  legitimate  themes  of  the 
pulpit;  accommodate  holy  scripture  to  novel  notions 
and  plans  of  human  invention;  pander  to  the  sickly 
sentimentality,  the  perverted  habits  of  thought  and 
action,  and  the  pseudo  philanthropy  of  the  times. 
Thus  recreant  to  their  trust  as  professed  teachers  of 
religion,  and  turning  often  traitors  to  the  Bible,  they 
have,  in  many  instances,  gradually  descended  into 
various  sorts  and  degrees  of  error,  introduced  social 
strife  and  contention,  where  before  there  was  charity, 
peace,  and  good  will,  “brought  in  damnable  heresies, 
even  denying  the  Lord  that  bought  them,”  and  opened 
a wide  door  to  the  most  pernicious  infidelity. 

The  church,  with  whose  ministry  we  are  entrusted, 
from  its  conservative  principles  and  purer  taste,  derived 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


33 


from  its  permanent  liturgic  forms,  and  its  stricter  order 
of  worship,  has,  for  the  most  part,  and  generally, 
escaped  these  evils.  But  the  temptation  exists ; and  it 
becomes  us  to  take  warning  from  the  melancholy  ex- 
amples around  us;  and  see  to  it,  as  we  shall  answer  to 
our  consciences  and  to  our  God,  that  we  preach  the 
word  faithfully,  in  its  purity  and  integrity,  without 
reserve,  without  admixture ; keeping  back  nothing 
that  is  profitable,”  yet  adding  nothing  extraneous  and 
secular,  because  it  may  chance  to  be  popular;  with- 
holding no  scriptural  truth  whether  relating  to  doctrine 
or  to  practice;  ^Gightly  dividing  the  ivord  of  truth;” 
and  declaring  fearlessly,  yet  prudently  and  with  due 
discrimination,”  the  whole  counsel  of  God.” 

As  a gniide  to  our  duty  in  the  premises,  and  a safe- 
guard from  error,  let  the  subject  matter  of  our  preach- 
ing be,  directly  or  indirectly,  that  which  St.  Paul 
determined  only  to  know  ” among  those  to  whom  he 
ministered — “Jesus  Christ,  and  Him  crucified,”  in  all 
the  bearings  and  relations  of  that  glorious  and  com- 
prehensive thepie;  in  all  its  fulness;  in  all  its  affecting 
appeals  to  the  heart  and  to  the  conscience ; in  all  its 
consoling  and  hope  inspiring  encouragement  to  the 
troubled  soul.  Christ  the  atoning  sacrifice  for  sin; 
“ the  one”  and  only  “mediator  between  God  and  men;” 
our  “advocate  with  the  Father,”  and  all-prevailing 


34 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


intercessor  ; our  diyine  example  ; our  final  Judge ; are 
prominent  themes  of  the  gospel  revelation;  and  they 
ought  to  be  the  conspicuous  and  prevailing  topics  of 
discourse  in  the  teaching  and  preaching  of  the  word 
of  reconciliation.”  The  “ministers  of  Christ”  must 
proclaim  and  commend  Him  to  faith  and  obedience,  in 
the  essential  divinity  of  His  nature ; in  the  dignity  of 
His  person ; in  the  glory  of  His  character ; in  the 
wonders  of  His  love ; in  the  plenteousness  of  His 
•mercy ; in  the  tenderness  of  His  compassion ; in  the 
condescension  and  omnipotence  of  His  grace;  in  the 
efficacy  of  His  sufferings;  in  the  prevailment  of  His 
intercession ; in  the  immensity  and  all-compensating 
glory  of  His  rewards.  We  must  “preach,  not  our- 
selves, but  Christ  Jesus  the  Lord,”  in  His  willingness 
and  power  to  save ; communicating  through  His  insti- 
tuted sacraments,  as  the  appointed  means  of  grace,  the 
manifold  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost,  the  Comforter,  reno- 
vating and  purifying  the  heart  and  its  affections,  con- 
trolling the  passions,  and  converting  the  soul.  He  is 
declared  in  the  inspired  word  to  be  “the  way,  the 
truth,  and  the  life  ;”  the  only  hope  of  the  sinner;  the 
consolation  of  the  mourning  penitent;  the  stay,  sup- 
port, and  confidence  of  the  confirmed  believer:  and 
vain,  and  worse  than  vain,  is  that  preaching,  which  fails 
to  exhibit  Him  as  the  great  object  of  the  love,  the 
faith,  the  obedience,  and  the  imitation  of*  those  to 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


35 


wtom  it  is  addressed.  In  dispensing  pastoral  instruc- 
tion, to  ignore  in  anywise,  or  throw  into  shade  the 
author  and  finisher  of  our  faith;”  to  expend  our 
strength  on  curious  criticism,  metaphysical  subtleties, 
extraneous  discussions,  the  popular  topics  of  the  day, 
or  mere  dry  morality;  to  respond  to  the  anxious 
inquiry,  What  must  I do  to  be  saved  ?”  by  an  array 
. of  cold  abstractions,  speculative  novelties,  or  pseudo 
moral  and  philanthropic  harangues,  to  the  neglect  of 
the  only  satisfying  answer  in  the  practical  truths  of 
redeeming  love;  to  omit,  or  obscurely  present,  the 
only  source  of  pardon  to  the.  penitent,  of  comfort  to 
the  broken-hearted,  of  encouraging  motive  and  anima- 
ting hope  to  the  awakened  conscience  : — oh  ! what  'a 
throwing  away  of  opportunity ! what  a mockery  of 
spiritual  misery ! what  a prostitution  of  office ! what 
treachery  and  cruel  wrong  to  immortal  souls  ! Shame- 
fully and  sinfully  do  the  ministers  of  Christ  and 
stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God  ” betray  their  sacred 
trust,  who  thus  attempt  to  feed  those  who  are  “ hunger- 
ing and  thirsting  after  righteousness,”  with  husks  in- 
stead of  bread,  and  withhold  the  priceless  gem  of  a 
Saviour’s  grace  and  mercy,  in  the  spiritual  treasure 
given  them  to  dispense  to  the  poor  and  needy.  If  we 
would  feed  the  flocks  committed  to  our  pastoral  care 
with  satisfying  food,  we  shall  lead  them  in  penitence 
and  faith  to  that  “good  shepherd  who  laid  down  His 


30 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


life  for  the  sheep,”  and  who  giveth  them  ^^the  bread 
of  life;”  point  the  sinner  for  relief,  and  the  saint  for 
comfort,  and  both  for  salvation,  to  Him  who  gave  him- 
self a ransom  for  the  spiritually  enslaved,  and  a sin- 
offering  for  the  guilty;  whose  ‘^precious  blood  cleanseth 
from  all  sin;”  and  whose  most  affecting,  attractive, 
significant,  and  glorious  designation  is — “Jesus,”  “Sa- 
viour,” “ the  Lamb  of  God,  who  taketh  away  the  sin 
of  the  world.” 

The  duties  of  the  sanctuary,  however,  are  not  all 
that  impose  responsibility  on  the  pastors  of  Christ’s 
flock.  There  is  our  general  intercourse  with  the  world, 
involving  no  ordinary  responsibility.  The  eye  of  the 
world  is  fixed  upon  us,  keen,  searching,  vigilant,  obser- 
vant of  every  movement,  ready  and  disposed  to  con- 
strue an  equivocal  word  or  act  to  ‘ our  discredit,  and 
to  the  prejudice  of  the  sacred  cause  of  which  we  are 
the  accredited  advocates  and  conservators.  Its  gaze, 
generally  stern,  its  scrutiny  unkind  and  harsh,  and 
both  frequently  malevolent,  rejoicing  to  catch  us 
tripping,  and  eager  to  spread  abroad  our  real  or  sup- 
posed delinquencies;  is  to  be  met  by  the  strictest 
integrity  and  the  utmost  circumspection;  by  “abstain- 
ing from  all  appearance  of  evil ;”  studiously  avoiding 
every  thing,  in  word,  in  conduct,  in  social  intercourse, 
in  our  walk  and  conversation,  which  may  afford  just 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


37 


ground  for  accusation  or  complaint;  “giving  no  offence 
in  any  thing  that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed,  but  in 
all  things  approving  ourselves  as  the  ministers  of  God.” 

To  our  respective  flocks,  also,  we  stand,  in  this 
respect,  in  a position  of  great  responsibility : a position 
in  which  one  false  step,  one  imprudent,  injudicious, 
unguarded  word,  may  impair  our  usefulness,  and  in- 
volve us  in  serious  difflculties.  It  becomes  us,  there- 
fore, in  our  intercourse  with  the  people  of  our  pastoral 
charge,  to  be  especially  circumspect  in  our  conduct, 
and  give  no  reasonable  cause  for  prejudice,  offence,  nor 
even  suspicion.  We  are  to  be  examples  to  them,  “ in 
word,  in  conversation,  in  charity,  in  faith,  in  purity 
gentle,  courteous,  considerate,  kind,  affectionate;  manly 
but  not  obsequiously  attentive ; “ in  meekness  instruc- 
ting those  that  oppose  themselves ;”  taking  heed  that 
“ no  corrupt  communication  proceed  out  of  our  mouth, 
but  that  which  is  good  to  the  use  of  edifying,  that  it 
may  minister  grace  unto  the  hearers;”  cheerful,  and 
sociable,  not  morose  and  gloomy,  yet  avoiding  all  light 
and  trifling  behaviour ; prudent  and  guarded  in  speech 
and  act,  causing  our  conduct  and  familiar  discourse  to 
be  not  only  consistent  with  our  sacred  calling,  but 
co-operative  in  our  public  labours;  and  “ceasing  not 
in  every  house,”  as  well  as  in  the  house  of  God,  “to 
teach  and  preach  Jesus  Christ.” 


38 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


The  services  of  the  ‘^ministers  of  Christ”  are  re- 
quired in  the  chamber  of  Lhe  sick  and  dying.  These 
services^  while  they  involve  a most  weighty  responsi- 
bility, are,  from  a variety  of  causes,  among  the  most 
difficult,  if  not  the  most  difficult  and  perplexing,  of  all 
our  pastoral  functions.  Besides  ^Hhe  fear  of  man 
which  bringeth  a snare,”  peculiarly  influential  at  the 
bed  side  of  the  sick,  with  sympathy  for  physical 
suffering  which  makes  reproof  painful,  if  it  does  not 
disarm  it;  and  the  false  anxiety  of  kindred  and  friends, 
backed  at  times  by  the  warning  of  the  medical  atten- 
dant, lest  any  thing  should  be  spoken  to  disturb  and 
alarm ; we  have  to  contend  with  the  great  diversity  of 
cases,  calling  forth  a difficult,  but  necessary,  discrimi- 
nating judgment.  The  soul  is  sometimes  as  lethargic 
in  its  spiritual,  as  the  body  in  its  physical  sensibilities. 
We  meet  with  one  tremblingly  alive  to  the  things  that 
belong  to  his  peace,  and  another  insensate  from  igno- 
rance or  apathy.  One  is  agitated  with  a full  perception 
of  all  the  awful  truths  of  God’s  word;  while  another  is 
obdurate  to  warning,  admonition,  and  reproof.  There 
is  in  one  a fatal  presuming  on  infinite  mercy,  and  in 
another  as  perilous  a distrusting  of  omnipotent  grace. 
Some  are  relying  on  ^^the  flattering  unction  they  lay 
to  their  souls,”  that  they  have  never  done  any  harm, 
and  have,  in  their  own  estimation,  led  a tolerably 
blameless  life;  and  others  are  constantly  writing 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


39 


hitter  things  against  themselves,”  and,  in  a morbid 
sense  of  unworthiness  resisting  the  application  to  them 
of  any  and  all  the  promises  of  the  gospel.  The  soul  of 
one  is  loaded  with  manifold  transgressions,  and  yet  at 
ease;  while  that  of  another  is  sinking  under  the  burden 
of  its  conscious  iniquities  into  the  depths  and  agonies 
of  despair.  Some  are  impenitent,  insensate,  obdurate, 
though  they  know  and  feel  that  death  is  fast  approach- 
ing and  inevitable;  others  convulsed  with  the  anguish 
of  remorse,  without  contrition,  and  deprecating  the 
summons  of  departure ; and  others  bowing  with  Chris- 
tian submission  to  the  will  of  God,  counting  it  gain 
to  die,”  and  in  the  exercise  of  a living  faith,  and  a 
^Treasonable,  religious,  and  holy  hope,”  ready,  nay 
desirous,  to/Tlepart  and  be  with  Christ.”  How  per- 
plexing and  trying  the  scene,  often,  to  the  faithful, 
conscientious  pastor!  What  a fearful  responsibility 
rests  upon  him  1 How  assiduous,  and  yet  how  cautious 
need  he  be,  in  applying  the  remedies  of  spiritual  heal- 
ing with  which  he  is  entrusted  1 How  wisely  discrimin- 
ating does  it  become  him  to  be,  in  dispensing  the 
warnings  and  denunciations,  the  invitations  and  pro- 
mises of  the  gospel ; in  exhibiting  the  justice  and  the 
mercy  of  God,  the  compassionate  grace  of  the  Saviour, 
the  stern  indignation  of  the  Judge  1 If  earnest  suppli- 
cation for  Divine  counsel  and  guidance,  for  a right 
judgment  and  discriminating  wisdom,  is  essential  to 


40 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


the  success  of  our  ministerial  labors  in  general,  it  is 
indispensable  at  such  times,  under  such  circumstances, 
and  amid  such  trying  and  perplexing  scenes. 

The  presence  of  the  Christian  pastor  is  required  in 
^Hhe  house  of  mourning.”  There  he  is  to  go  in  a 
spirit  of  unaffected  kindness;  tenderly  sympathizing 
with  the  afflicted,  sorrowing  with  the  sorrowers,  and 
weeping  with  them  that  weep.”  This  is  a service, 
too,  of  deep  responsibility.  Here  is  afforded  no  ordinary 
opportunity  for  awakening  dormant  spiritual  sensibili- 
ties, and  pressing  home  the  practical  truths  of  religion. 
Here  and  now,  when  the  heart  is  wrung  with  anguish, 
or  tender  and  susceptible  from  chastened  grief,  and 
affliction  hath  measurably  weakened  the  influence  of 
the  world,  and  shown  the  vanity  and  worthlessness  of 
its  attractions  and  pursuits ; is  an  opening  of  peculiar 
promise  and  hope,  to  address  the  conscience  of  the  sin- 
ner, impress  him  with  a due  sense  of  his  sinfulness, 
guilt,  and  accountability,  and  lead  him  humbled,  sub- 
dued, and  penitent  to  a compassionate,  gracious,  and 
long-suffering  Saviour.  Here,  and  now,  while  with  the 
soothing,  consoHng,  teaching  of  God’s  word,  the  pastor 
binds  up  the  broken-hearted,  and  comforts  them  that 
mourn,”  does  it  become  him,  earnestly  and  diligently 
to  employ  his  office  and  ministry,  in  turning  the  be- 
reaved or  the  afflicted  from  the  shadows  they  have 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


41 


hitherto  pursued;”  in  impressing  the  lesson,  so  much 
and  generally  ignored  in  prosperity,  that  ^4iere  we 
have  no  abiding  city,  but- must  seek  one  to  come;”  and 
in  commending,  in  all  its  solemn  warnings,  in  all  its 
* affecting  appeals,  in  all  its  gracious  invitations  and 
precious  promises,  in  all  its  consoling  hopes,  ^Hhe 
gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,”  and  the  Divine  author  of 
the  gospel,  as  the  object  of  faith,  reverence,  obedience, 
and  love.  And  as  he  faithfully  discharges  this  func- 
tion of  his  pastoral  office,  will  he  prove  a minister  of 
light  to  the  house  of  mourning,  a messenger  of  comfort 
and  peace  to  the  stricken  bosom,  or  a minister  of  dark- 
ness and  despair. 

The  lambs  of  the  flock,  moreover,  demand  the  special 
care  and  attention  of  the  Christian  pastor.  They  are  to 
be  sedulously  fed,  nurtured,  and  watched  over  by  him. 
No  ordinary  responsibility  rests  on  him  to  be  faithful 
to  the  youth  of  his  pastoral  charge ; considerate  of  their 
spiritual  interests ; diligent  in  training  them  up  in  the 
way  they  should  go,”  impressing  them  early  with  a 
filial,  reverential  fear  of  God,  with  a sense  of  their  duty 
to  Him  as  His  children  by  adoption  and  grace,”  and 
with  the  obligations  and  responsibilities  of  their  baptism 
into  Christ.  They  are  to  be  faithfully  instructed  by 
him  in  all  that  relates  to  their  spiritual  well-being, 
carefully  indoctrinated  in  the  great  principles  of  the 


42 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


gospel,  as  embodied  and  set  forth  in  the  creeds,  articles 
and  catechism  of  the  church ; an  attachment  created 
and  cherished  in  their  young  minds,  for  its  hallowed 
institutions,  its  worship  and  discipline,  its  “ordinances 
of  divine  service;”  and  its  claims  upon  their  allegiance 
and  confidence  conspicuously  presented,  asserted  and 
confirmed.  They  are  his  pupils  by  their  relative  posi- 
tion, and  are  to  be  “brought  up  by  him  in  the  nurture 
and  admonition  of  the  Lord.”  Here  is  an  especial 
sphere  of  duty,  and  an  extensive  opportunity  for  use- 
fulness. Here  is  a most  interesting  and  promising 
field  of  labor,  and  a soil  prepared  to  receive  efficaciously 
the  seed  of  evangelical  truth,  and  bring  forth  precious 
fruit.  And  the  duty  may  not  be  performed  by  proxy, 
through  the  medium  of  the  Sunday  School,  but  person- 
ally. It  is  the  pastor  s ovm  hiisiness.  He  may  receive 
the  assistance  of  others,  but  the  work  must  be  done 
under  his  personal  supervision.  Catechetical  instruc- 
tion strictly  and  canonically  belongs  to  him ; it  is  his 
peculiar  province;  and  he  cannot  delegate  it,  as  is 
sometimes  done  almost  exclusively,  to  comparatively 
irresponsible  agents,  however  well  qualified,  without 
involving  himself  in  the  just  condemnation  of  pastoral 
negligence  and  unfaithfulness. 

Finally,  above  all,  and  including  all,  a weighty  re- 
sponsibility rests  upon  the  “ministers  of  Christ  and 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


43 


stewards  of  tlie  mysteries  of  God,”  to  be  faithful  to 
their  own  souls.  Is  the  suggestion  uncalled  for,  out  of 
place,  unnecessary?  Have  we  not  ^Hhis  treasure  in 
earthen  vessels?”  Are  we  not  men,  frail,  sinful  men, 
compassed  about  with  the  infirmities  of  a corrupt  nature, 
prone  as  others  to  sin,  and  exposed  to  manifold  temp- 
tations? Is  there  not,  too,  in  the  position  we  occupy, 
peculiar  danger  to  our  spiritual  welfare,  and  an  especial 
call  to  watchfulness  and  prayer?  Has  not  our  very 
familiarity  with  spiritual  things,  a tendency  to  diminish 
their  impression,  and  impair  their  influence  ? Teach- 
ing, warning,  reproving,  and  admonishing  others,  we 
are  apt  to  become  more  or  less  insensible  to  teaching, 
warning,  reproof,  and  admonition  ourselves.  Our  duties, 
if  we  are  not  careful,  degenerate  into  a sort  of  perfunc- 
tive  observance,  and  the  spirituality  of  our  minds  degen- 
erates with  them.  How  watchful,  then,  does  it  become 
us  to  be  over  our  wayward,  treacherous  hearts  ! How 
sedulous  in  cultivating  the  spiritual  soil  in  ourselves! 
How  earnest  in  working  out  our  own  salvation,  with 
fear  and  trembling,”  and  in  ^^giving  all  diligence  to 
make  our  calling  and  election  sure!”  What  a monitory 
thought  is  that  expressed  by  St.  Paul,  in  his  memg^lle 
caution  : ^flest  that  when  I have  preached  to  othSPy  I 
myself  should  be  a cast  away ! ’ If  it  be  essential  to  the 
members  of  the  “household  of  God,”  that  they  be  not 
conformed  to  this  world,  but  transformed  in  the  renew- 


44 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


ing  of  their  minds;”  that  they  ^^walk  not  after  the 
flesh,  but  after  the  spirit;”  that  they  ^^abound  in  all 
the  fruits  of  holiness,”  and  ^^grow  in  grace,  and  in 
the  knowledge  of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ;” 
that  they  crucify  the  flesh,  with  the  affections  and 
lusts,”  and  denying  all  ungodliness  and  wordly  lusts, 
live  soberly,  righteously  and  godly  in  this  present 
world ;”  how  indispensable  are  these  things  to  the 
stewards”  of  the  household!  Surely  we  have  need 
‘^fto  watch  over  our  own  souls,  as  they  who  must  give 
account;”  take  heed  that  we  impair  not,  in  any  way, 
the  lustre  of  our  looked-for  example ; see  to  it,  that  the 
world,  its  seductive  blandishments,  and  its  fascinating 
})leasures,  allure  us  not  from  our  integrity  and  pro- 
priety ; be  careful,  that  while  we  ^4iold  forth  the  word 
of  life  ” to  others,  as  the  light  of  their  path,  all  within 
ourselves  be  light  also,  and  not  darkness. 

Independently,  too,  of  personal  consideration,  how 
earnest,  practical,  luminous  should  be  the  piety  of  the 
minister  of  Christ,”  and  how  carefully  cherished  and 
cultivated,  in  regard  of  his  public  labors  1 Such  piety, 
de|p  toned,  sincere,  exemplary  yet  not  ostentatious, 
al|^, /removed  from  aceticism  and  levity,  is  essential 
to  our  official  success.  How  shall  we  teach  others 
efficiently,  if  we  ourselves  are  not  taught  of  God  ? How 
shall  we  commend  the  love  of  Christ,  and  ^Hhe  ui> 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


45 


searchable  riches  of  His  grace  ” to  others,  if  we  our- 
selves do  not  realize  and  cherish  their  constraining  and 
restraining  influence  ? Professional  piety,  unenlivened 
and  unsustained  by  personal  piety,  will  make  us  only 
as  ^^the  sounding  brass,  and  the  tinkling  cymbal.” 
^^Out  of  the  abundance  of  the  heart,  must  the  mouth 
speak,”  or  we  shall  speak  to  little  purpose,  and  with 
little  effect,  to  the  hearts  and  consciences  of  our 
hearers.  We  may  be  flattered  for  our  eloquence,  be 
popular  preachers,  attract  a crowd,  but  we  shall  not  be 
faithful  to  ourselves,  nor  to  our  high  trust.  We  may 
emit  a dazzling  light,  but  it  will  be  the  cold  glare  of 
the  iceberg,  not  the  warming  and  invigorating  light  of 
the  sun.  Barren  and  unprofitable  will  be  our  most 
splendid  efforts;  and,  fearful  thought!  the  souls  we  are 
charged  to  feed  with  the  bread  of  life,”  surfeited  with 
such  frothy  and  unsubstantial  aliment,  may,  whilst  we 
are  ^‘preaching  not  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  but  our- 
selves;” courting  popular  applause,  pandering  to  a 
vitiated  public  taste ; uttering  with  an  admired  elo- 
quence truths  we  do  not  feel,  or  little  feel ; — the  im- 
mortal souls  for  whom  Christ  died,  committed  to  our 
care  and  culture,  to  be  nurtured  and  prepared  for  hea- 
ven, may  perish  through  our  vanity,  by  our  negligence 
and  fault. 


My  brethren  of  the  clergy,  it  is  truly  a ‘^weighty 


46 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


office  and  charge  ” that  is  devolved  upon  us,  as  “ min- 
isters of  Christ,  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God 
an  office  involving  a deep  and  awful  responsibility. 
In  contemplation  thereof,  ‘Gvho  is  sufficient  for  these 
things?”  is  a thought  that  arises  spontaneously  in  every 
mind,  filling  the  soul  with  fear  and  trembling.  But 
there  is  an  answer  to  this  question  of  fearful  anxiety. 
‘‘Our  sufficiency  is  of  God.”  True  and  faithful  to  our 
sacred  trust.  He  will  sustain  and  further  us  with  His 
abounding  grace  ; “make  us  able  ministers  of  the  New 
Testament;”  bestow  upon  us  wisdom,  strength,  patience, 
perseverance,  and  every  needed  gift;  and  crown  our 
efforts  with  acceptance  and  success.  “Therefore,  see- 
ing we  have  this  ministry,  as  we  have  received  mercy, 
let  us  faint  not ; but  renouncing  the  hidden  things  of 
dishonesty,  not  walking  in  craftiness,  nor  handling  the 
word  of  God  deceitfully,  by  manifestation  of  the  truth, 
commend  ourselves  to  every  man’s  conscience  in  the 
sight  of  God.”  “Strong  in  the  Lord,  and  in  the  power 
of  His  might,”  let  us  do  our  duty  and  trust  God  for  the 
issue.  Darkness  may  occasionally  overspread  our  path, 
and  make  us  sad ; but  light  is  ever  at  hand,  in  answer 
to  prayer,  to  revive,  animate,  encourage  and  gladden 
us.  And  at  length  the  sun,  which  to  the  eye  of  faith, 
already  decks  the  distant  mountain  tops  with  a golden 
radiance,  will  break  forth  in  all  the  effulgence  of  the 
perfect  day;  and  entering  “the  kingdom  prepared  of 


PRIMARY  CHARGE. 


47 


our  Father,”  we  shall  receive  our  great  and  glorious 
recompense  of  reward;”  and  behold,  through  a tear- 
less eternity,  and  brighter  and  brighter  forever,  the 
light  of  the  knowlege  of  the  glory  of  God  in  the  face  of 
Jesus  Christ.” — Amen. 


il 


..  ■ ' v^)).V.^’>  fJf/iWli}'*’  ^ 

il-'  %/ ••■*■  • wr-=/nr<i(i*»»  .-"I^--  Y_.  • • r ' rf.; 


„ . ^ 


,V,  ' ; -v  v:^„-  n 


V\ 

t '': 


>;  ‘ i 


■vi-  vv> 


’s;  ..'.-V--  i^'r.  ■<  . '7V'  V 


i-"7  '■' 


'■U 


l^<}-: 


n><m‘ : >r 


' 'W) 

■k  '-  ' Ci  '.  ■ . 


;•  ‘‘<.- 


i ' I •.  K i 

s'/  ' '■  •!'  . 


jf 

■ ■'*  ■•'. 


■ \r‘ ' IVi^lii'.-.' , 


- '-'Vr 


■"  V 


'.  .a' 


’ V,sV''.*.l;/.V  ■/’' 


. ,»  'A',.i.,  • - r ■■  ,'i  . '.  , . ■!■'.'  . ' • I ,:  ■ ■>*■•’ 


^ '}i 


-m 


■' : .'4 


Vi  _ ri  'A 


* "f/4»  I.*  ' 


' ■ ^-/VS'.OI  ■■■•:,;• 


y-i^p 


'.'■'i^'i'v 


;:r  / ■> 


APPENDIX. 


OF  THE  ORIGIN  OF  THE  METHODIST  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH. 

The  preachers  and  members  of  our  society  in  general, 
being  convinced  that  there  was  a great  deficiency  of  vital 
religion  in  the  Church  of  England  in  America,  and  being 
in  many  places  destitute  of  the  Christian  sacraments,  as 
several  of  the  clergy  had  forsaken  their  churches,  re- 
quested the  late  Eev.  John  Wesley  to  take  such  meas- 
ures, in  his  wisdom  and  prudence,  as  would  afford  them 
suitable  relief  in  their  distress. 

In  consequence  of  this,  our  venerable  friend,  who, 
under  God,  had  been  the  father  of  the  great  revival  of 
religion  now  extending  over  the  earth,  by  the  means 
of  the  Methodists,  determined  to  ordain  ministers  for 
America ; and  for  this  purpose,  in  the  year  1784,  sent 
over  three  regularly  ordained  clergy;  but  preferring  the 
Episcopal  mode  of  church  government  to  any  other,  he 
solemnly  set  apart,  by  the  imposition  of  his  hands  and 
prayer,  one  of  them,  viz : Thomas  Coke^  Doctor  of  Civil 


50 


APPENDIX. 


Law,  late  of  Jesus  College,  in  the  University  of  Oxford, 
and  a Presbyter  of  the  Church  of  England,  for  the  Epis- 
copal office;  and  having  delivered  to  him  letters  of 
Episcopal  orders,  commissioned  and  directed  him  to  set 
apart  Francis  Ashury,  then  general  assistant  of  the 
Methodist  Society  in  America,  for  the  same  Episcopal 
office;  he,  the  said  Francis  Ashury,  being  first  ordained 
deacon  and  elder.  In  consequence  of  which,  the  said 
Francis  Ashury  was  solemnly  set  apart  for  the  said 
Episcopal  office  by  prayer,  and  the  imposition  of  the 
hands  of  the  said  Thomas  Coke,  other  regularly  or- 
dained ministers  assisting  in  the  sacred  ceremony.  At 
which  time  the  General  Conference,  held  at  Baltimore, 
did  unanimously  receive  the  said  Thomas  Coke  and 
Francis  Ashury  as  their  bishops,  being  fully  satisfied 
of  the  validity  of  their  Episcopal  ordination. 


The  following  lists  of  the  succession  of  ‘Hhe  ministry 
of  reconciliation,”  through  the  superior  order  of  Bis- 
hops, are  appended,  in  illustration  and  corroboration  of 
the  argument,  relative  to  the  derivation  of  ministerial 
authority,  in  the  foregoing  charge.  They  are  taken 
from  a valuable  Tract  by  a Presbyter  of  Maryland, 
published  a few  years  ago,  and  addressed  particularly 


APPENDIX. 


51 


to’  the  members  of  a prominent  religious  denomination 
in  that  diocese.  To  these,  the  Author  of  the  Charge, 
had  designed  to  add  other  and  various  lists,  contained 
in  the  tract  on  “Apostolic  Succession,”  by  the  late  Hon. 
and  Rev.  Mr.  Perceval  of  the  Church  in  England;  but 
not  having  that  Tract  at  hand,  and  being  unable  to 
obtain  it  in  time  for  printing  the  Charge,  he  is  obliged 
to  omit  it,  and  can  only  refer  to  it. 

The  first  of  the  subjoined  lists  names  the  Bishops 
successively  of  the  four  principal  Christian  cities  and 
Episcopal  Sees,  as  given  by  Eusebius,  extending  to 
A.D.  302.  The  second  is  the  succession  of  the  Bishops 
of  our  Reformed  and  Protestant  Branch  of  the  Church, 
traced  from  our  present  Presiding  Bishop,  the  Right 
Rev.  Dr.  Brownell,  through  the  Church  in  England,  to 
St.  John  the  Apostle. 


I. 

THE  SUCCESSION  IN  THE  SEES  OF  ROME,  ALEXANDRIA, 
JERUSALEM  AND  ANTIOCH. 


Rome. 

Linus, 

Cletus, 

Clement, 

Evaristus, 

Alexander, 

Sixtus, 

Telesphorus, 

Hyginus, 

Pius, 

Anicetus, 

Soter, 

Eleutherus, 


Alexandria. 

Anianus, 

Avilius, 

Cerdon, 

Primus, 

Justus, 

Eumenes, 

Marcus, 

Celadin, 

Agrippinus, 

Julius, 

Demetrius, 

Heraclas, 


Jerusalem. 

James, 

Simon, 

Justus, 

Zacheus, 

Tobias, 

Benjamin, 

John, 

Matt  hew, 

Philip, 

Seneca, 

Justus, 

Levi, 


Antioch. 

Evodius, 

Ignatius, 

Heros, 

Cornelius, 

Eros, 

Theophilus, 

Maximus, 

Serapion, 

Asclepiades, 

Philetus, 

Zebinus, 

Babylus, 


52 


APPENDIX. 


Eomk.  Alexandria. 

Victor,  Dionysius, 

Zephrynns,  Maximus, 

Calixtus,  Tlieonus, 

Urban,  Peter, 

Pontianus,  A.D.  302. 

Anteros, 

Fabian, 

Cornelius, 

Lucius, 

Stephen, 

Sixtus, 

Dionysius, 

Felix, 

Eutychianus, 

Caius, 

Marcellinus, 

A.D.  296. 


i^ERUSALEM. 

Ephrem, 

Joseph, 

Judas, 

Marcus, 

Cassianus, 

Publius, 

Maximus, 

Julian, 

Caius, 

Syramachus, 
Caius, 
Julian, 
Maximus, 
Antonius, 
Capito, 
Valens, 
Dolchianus, 
Narcissus, 
Dius, 
Germanio, 
Gordius, 
[Narcissus,] 
Alexander, 
Mazabanas, 
Hymengeus, 
Zambdas, 
Her  m on, 
A.D.  300. 


Antioch. 
Fabus, 
Demetrianus, 
Paul, 
Domnus, 
Timoeus, 
Cyrillus, 
Tyrannus, 
A.D.  302. 


II. 

THE  SUCCESSION  OF  THE  PROTESTANT  EPISCOPAL  CHURCH 
IN  THE  UNITED  STATES. 


St,  John  ordained  Polycarp  Apostle^  or  Bishop,  or 


Angel  of  the  Church  at  Smyrna,  who  ordained  Irenmus 


Bishop  of  the  Church  at  Lyons,  in  France, 
cession  is,  then,  as  follows : 


ST.  JOHN. 

1.  Polycarp,  Bishop  of  Smyrna. 
Bishops  of  Lyons. 

1.  Pothinus, 

2.  Irenseus, 

3.  Zacharias, 

4.  Elias, 

5.  Faustinas, 

6.  Verus, 

7.  Julius, 

8.  Ptolemy, 

9.  Vocius, 

10.  Maximus, 

11.  Tetradus, 


12.  Verissimus, 

13.  Justus, 

14.  Albinus, 

15.  Martin, 

16.  Antiochus. 

17.  Elpidius. 

18.  Sicarius. 

19.  Eucherius,  I. 

20.  Patiens. 

21.  Lupicinus. 

22.  Rusticus. 

23.  Stephanas. 

24.  Viventiolus. 

25.  Eucherius,  2. 


The  sue- 


APPENDIX. 


63 


26.  Lupus. 

27.  Licontius. 

28.  Sacerdos. 

29.  Nicetus. 

30.  Prescus. 

31.  .^THERius.  A.D.  589. 


CANTERBURY. 


32.  A.D.  596.  Augustine,  mission- 
f ary  to  the  Anglo-Saxons, 


33d  from 
St.John. 


was  consecrated  by  Vir- 
GiLius,  24th  Bishop  of  Ar- 
les, assisted  by  -Tiberi- 
us, 31st  Bishop  of  Lyons. 


34.  Lawrence, 

35.  Mellitus, 

36.  Justus, 

37.  Honorius, 

38.  Adeodatus, 

39.  Theodore, 

40.  Brithwald, 

41.  Tatwine, 

42.  Nothelm, 

43.  Cuthbert, 

44.  Bregwin, 

45.  Lambert, 

46.  Ethelred,  I. 

47.  Wulfred, 


605 

619 

624 

634 

654 

668 

693 

731 

735 

742 

759 

763 

793 

803 


48.  Theogild,  or  Feogild,  conse- 
crated 5th  of  June,  and  died 


September  3d.  830 

49.  Ceolnoth,  Sept.  830 

50.  uEthelred,  2d,  871 

51.  Phlegmund,  891 

52.  Athelm  or  Adelm,  923 

53.  Wulfelm,  928 

54.  Odo  Severus,  941 

55.  Dunstan,  959 

56.  -Tthelgar,  988 

57.  Siricus,  989 

58.  Aluricus  or  Alfricus,  996 

59  Elphege,  1005 

60.  Living,  or  Leoning,  or  Elk- 

skan,  1013 

61.  Agelmoth  or  -Tthelnot,  1020 

62.  Edsin,  or  Elsin,  1038 

63.  Robert  Gemeticensis,  1050 

64.  Stigand,  1052 

65.  Lanfranc.  1070 

66.  Anselm,  1093 

67.  Rodulph,  1114 

68.  Wm.  Corbell,  1122 

69.  Theobold,  1138 

70.  Thomas  a Becket,  1162 

71.  Richard,  1174 

72.  Baldwin  Fordensis,  1184 


73.  Reginald  Fitz-Joceline,  1191 


74.  Hubert  Walten,  1193 

75.  Stephen  Langton,  1207 

76.  Richard  Wethersfield,  1229 

77.  Edmund,  1234 

78.  Boniface,  1245 

79.  Robert  Kilwardy,  1272 

80.  John  Peckham.  1278 

81.  Robert  Winchelsea,  1294 

82.  Walter  Reynold,  1313 

83.  Simon  Mepham,  1328 

84.  John  Stratford,  1333 

85.  Thomas  Bradwardine,  1348 

86.  Simon  Islip,  1349 

87.  Simon  Langham,  1366 

88.  Wm.  Whittlesey,  1368 

89.  Simon  Sudbury,  1375 

90.  Wm.  Courtnay,  1381 

91.  Thomas  Arundel,  1396 

92.  Henry  Chichely,  1414 

93.  John  Stafford,  1443 

94.  John  Kemp.  1452 

95.  Thomas  Bourcher,  1454 

96.  John  Morton,  i486 

97.  Henry  Dean,  1^01 

98.  Wm.  Wareham,  1503 

99.  Thos.  Cranmee,  1533 

100.  Reginald  Pole,  1555 

101.  Matthew  Parker,  1559 

102.  Ed.  Grindall,  December,  1573 

103.  John  Whitgift,  1583 

104.  Richard  Bancroft,  1604 

105.  George  Abbot,  1611 

106*  William  Laud,  1633 

107.  William  Juxon,  1660 

108.  Gilbert  Sheldon,  1663 

109.  William  Sancroft,  1677 

110.  John  Tillotson,  1691 

111.  Thomas  Tennison,  1694 

112.  William  Wake,  1715 

113.  John  Potter,  1737 

114.  Thomas  Seeker,  1738 

115.  Thomas  Hemng,  1747 

116.  Matthew  Hutton,  1757 

117.  Fred.  Cornwallis,  1768 

118.  John  Moore,  1783 

American  Bishops. 


119.  From  St.  John  is  William 
White,  of  Pa.,  consecrated 
Februaiy4,  1787,  by  John 
Moore,  Archbishop  of  Can- 
terbury, assisted  by  the 
Archbishop  of  York,  the 
Bishop  of  Bath  and  Wells, 
and  the  Bishop  of  Peter  - 
borough. 

120.  Alex.  V.  Griswald,  1811 

121.  Philander  Chase,  1819 

122.  Thos.  Church  Brownell,  1819 


54 


APPENDIX. 


NOTE  TO  PAGE  19. 

That  St.  Paul,  notwithstanding  his  miraculous  conversion,  was  sent,  as 
were  the  other  Apostles,  received  an  outward  and  visible  commission  to  the 

ministry  of  reconciliation,”  is,  in  the  absence  of  any  positive  proof  to  the 
contrary,  probable,  from  the  following  considerations  : 1.  The  analogy  of 
the  faith  which  requires  such  a commission.  2.  His  own  teaching  in  the 
premises, of  the  necessity  of  such  a commission  in  all  cases,  “And  no  man 
taketh  this  honor  unto  himself,  but  he  that  is  called  of  God  as  was  Aaron.” 
Hebrews  v.4;  and  “ How  shall  they  preach  except  they  be  sent  ?”  Romans 
X.  15.  3.  His  uniform  practice  as  an  Apostle  invested  with  authority  to 

send  others,  in  accordance  with  this  teaching,  as  set  forth  in  the  inspired 
record.  4.  The  fact,  that  his  miraculous  conversion  and  designation  to 
the  ministry,  did  not  exempt  him  from  the  obligation  of  initiation  into  the 
visible  church  by  baptism,  prior  to  any  exercise  of  his  ministry  ; from 
which  it  is  reasonable  to  infer,  neither  did  it  exempt  him  from  the  obliga- 
tion of  receiving  an  outward  and  visible  commission  to  the  ministry.  5. 
The  fact,  that  in  one  instance.  Acts  xiii.  2,  3,  he  did  receive  an  external 
and  visible  commission  to  a special  work  of  the  ministry,  by  the  laying 
on  of  hands,  with  prayer ; whence  it  is  reasonable  to  infer,  that  as  his 
miraculous  conversion  and  designation,  did  not  exempt  him  from  the 
necessity  of  receiving  an  external  and  visible  commission  in  this  instance, 
neither  did  it  relative  to  his  ministry  generally.  And  as  corroborative  of 
the  probability  suggested,  the  remarks  of  Bishop  Blomfield  on  this  inci- 
dent are  apposite  and  forcible  ; though  he  supposes  it  to  have  been  “ a 
special  ordination,”  which,  however,  as  Barnabas  and  Saul  were  ministers 
of  Christ  already,  “prophets  and  teachers,”  it  could  not  strictly  have  been, 
if  at  all,  unless  to  a higher  grade  of  the  ministry. 

“ In  the  13th  chapter  it  is  related,”  says  he,  “that  while  certain  prophets 
and  teachers  in  the  church  at  Antioch  were  ministering  unto  the  Lord,  the 
Holy  Ghost  said,  separate  me  Barnabas  and  Saul,  for  the  work  whereunto  I 
have  called  them  ; that  is,  for  the  preaching  of  the  Gospel  to  the  Gentiles. 
And  when  they  had  fasted  and  prayed,  and  laid  their  hands  on  them,  they  sent 
them  away.  With  reference,  first  to  his  miraculous  conversion,  and  secondly 
to  this  special  ordination,  St.  Paul  speaks  of  himself,  Romans  i.  I,  as  a 
servant  of  Jesus  Christ,  called  to  be  an  Apostle,  separated  unto  the  Gospel  of 
God.  From  this  incident  it  appears  that  a public  and  formal  calling  to  the 
office  of  preaching  the  gospel  was  necessary,  even  to  those  who  had  the 
extraordinary  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghost ; necessary,  that  is,  not  on  account 
of  any  intrinsic  virtue  in  the  outward  form,  but  rendered  so  by  the  declared 
will  of  God.  Our  Saviour  sent  His  disciples,  as  His  Father  had  sent  Him; 
and  He  sent  them  with  an  outward  and  visible  act  of  commission.  He 
breathed  on  them  and  said,  Receive  ye  the  Holy  Ghost.  And,  quoting  the 
words  of  Bishop  Burnet — though  Saul  and  Barnabas  were  effectuallly 
called  by  the  Holy  Spirit  to  the  Apostleship  of  the  Gentiles,  they  did  not 


APPENDIX. 


55 


enter  upon  the  discharge  of  their  function,  till,  under  the  direction  of  the 
same  spirit,  they  had  been  separated  to  the  work  of  the  ministry,  by 
prayer  and  the  imposition  of  hands.  Lect.  vii.  pp.  128, 129. 

The  language  of  St.  Par.l,  Galatians  i.  1,  “An  apostle,  not  of  men,  neither 
by  man,  but  by  Jesus  Christ  and  God  the  Father  who  raised  Him  from  the 
dead,”  is  sometimes  adduced  as  proof  that  he  did  not  receive  an  external 
and  visible  commission.  That  declaration,  however,  is  not  such  proof,  for 
it  relates,  as  the  context  shows,  not  to  the  mode  ox  form  of  his  commission, 
but  to  the  source  whence  he  derived  his  authority,  which,  as  was  the  case 
with  all  the  Apostles,  was  not  human,  but  divine.  They,  all  of  them, 
might  with  equal  propriety  and  tiuth  have  said,  we  are  Apostles,  “not 
of  men,  neither  by  man,  but  by  Jesus  Christ  and  God  the  Father.”  Xor 
does  St.  Paul’s  subsequent  narration  in  the  same  chapter,  preclude  the 
probability  of  his  having  had  an  outward  and  visible  commission  ; while 
it  goes  to  show  that  he  might  have  received  such  commission  at  the  time 
and  on  the  occasion  supposed,  when  Barnabas  presented  him  to  the  Apos- 
tles at  Jerusalem  and  announced  his  miraculous  conversion  and  designa- 
tion to  the  ministry,  and  “how  he  had  seen  the  Lord  in  the  way and 
when,  as  he  himself  says,  he  “abode  with  Peter  fifteen  days,”  and  had 
intercourse  with  “James  the  Lord’s  brother,”  historically  the  Bishop  of 
the  Church  at  Jerusalem  at  that  time. 


V.; 


I**  “tis  ^yii  ^,  iiksiuft  lUviii  i.>  < 'iii'i*,  !'  ■ '•  m i|,f  , 

^7^  vn  *4  x-‘^l  j'  |.... 

;..ca«; ,^i«ii-.  Si  ,4  («;••  .1 i-»!f . « ^ 

<<i  ’I  V-iWi  m!'».>pA>l'l-.4l  i;i  -.'i;.',  .1  • ^,.(  »',! 

i»u  » fi*.  • vi'Vv'.'r  ; u it,  (Mfif  /»  t»v*  M*  jw)f  , 4 

'^  .?  '•(-  ?.  ' aJ  ,t'5iy5^^  .r.ir:..tn?  - *U  J'  , i/***-  - 

.•  1 >.|  <vr»4,10  "W'-I  . 4>J<|f'il».,|Jp["^a  ,»f, 

■;:.  V ,«  Jv  .{Vf  HrV^,  wAv^,4 

ytiinf  / V*  % <h3^ih 


/t-.;  irwKiwVUfi^  . • : ■ < f(.  i«  . > 

'*■;■  ^ ‘ • I ! - \ V «/i^4  1 ■ V '^\ 


‘i;v(  f'  ; uiii|)f*n.  IV 
■>.! 

')ii^  ni't 

f^y;'  ^ wM  fM*  Viy£}4J(j.  ^<,,,j;.-.nyi^j  f*,-i  .,.  ,,.,.'in^  i;,,is 


»?*  hi 


^tt 


Imn  t S/tj  DHyirti  hr.  • .J 


^ f>«eil  '* A', . i n • . ■:  ,t  I -.;-/! 


'v:/'  . ‘.'W, 


^ .‘  Z 


•v-^A:. , 

..>i''tt.:fii6it. 


THE 


MINISTRY  OF  RECONCILIATION, 


THE  DIVINELY  APPOINTED  INSTRUMENTALITY  FOR  THE 
CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD: 


THE 


SECOND  CHARGE 


TO  THE  CLERGY  OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  INDIANA,  DELIVERED 
IN  CHRIST  CHURCH,  INDIANAPOLIS,  AT  THE  OPENING 
OF  THE  ANNUAL  DIOCESAN  CONVENTION,  ON 
WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  M,  1861. 


BY  GEORGE  UPFOLD,  DD.  L.  L.  D., 

BISHOP  OF  THE  DIOCESE. 


INDIAN'APOLIS: 

BINGHAM,  DOUGHTY  & CO.,  STEA3I  PRINTERS', 

1861. 


THE 


MINISTRY  OF  RECONCILIATION, 


THE  DIVINELY  APPOINTED  INSTRUMENTALITY  FOR  THE 
CONVERSION  OF  THE  WORLD: 


TH  E 


SECOND  CHAKGE 


TO  THE  CLERGY  OF  THE  DIOCESE  OF  INDIANA,  DELIVERED 
IN  CHRIST  CHURCH,  INDIANAPOLIS,  AT  THE  OPENING 
OF  THE  ANNUAL  DIOCESAN  CONVENTION,  ON 
WEDNESDAY,  JUNE  11,  1861. 


BY  GEORGE  UPFOLD,  DD.  L.  L.  D., 

BISHOP  OF  THE  DIOCESE. 


INDIANAPOLIS: 

BINGHAM,  DOUGHTY  & CO.,  STEAM  PRINTERS. 

1861. 


- 


i 5 


w 


<i,uioV^  .i’tr  -h  -at^iiriv /’(X»  ' 


'^'j  - 


T 


•w  ( .'^^ 


J!  n 


■ . ‘4 


r.  .'a 


: •’■■]' 

/ #5 


\':i 


..  . ,v  ^ . -.  ^■.,, 


'17-' 


I 


i m j 

. 'li 


[}  X . 


.'aiii: ’^U:vi  .ir.Lvyq.  -.mt  *«•*  , • i.n  rOtr  o 

• wr-^'^io  jftir  TA  * *i 

IT » / .,-i  /<'’■'  ’'''  w •■•  ■*' 

.-  , '.. . , ^ • nvif  , i.  •</.  . )^/.i!.frt<yinw  uJi  . yf.  't^;  y 

y'?,'’^Xv•'^  ’ ' 

■'.’  . v'"-  ' vtp:.':  ■*  '“-' 

■Ib.  * vf.  .J  ,c{ci 


v.t^  ■ ■ = 'f''  ■ *•  ' '»>•  •< 


, «H  f>.  -‘'  •'  ’^- 


*':■.  ji  'r  >mLL 


CHARGE. 


My  Brethren  of  the  Clergy': 

It  is  now  several  years  since  I have 
addressed  you  in  a formal  Charge,  having  been  - pre- 
vented by  reasonable  cause.”  That  cause,  through 
the  Divine  goodness,  being  removed,  I proceed  to 
discharge  the  duty. 

In  my  Primary  Charge,  the  theme  on  which  I 
addressed  you  was — The  Ministry'  of  Reconcili- 
ation, ITS  AUTHORITY  AND  RESPONSIBILITY.  This 
theme  I propose  to  continue  in  this  my  second 
CHARGE,  in  another  aspect,  by  discoursing  of  the 
Ministry  of  Reconciliation  as  the  divinely' 
APPOINTED  instrumentality  FOR  THE  CONVER- 
SION OF  THE  WORLD.  The  subject  is  intrinsically 
important ; and  it  is  particularly  so  now,  from  the 
prevalence  of  an  adverse  opinion  and  practice, 
which  have  become  popularized  to  an  injurious  ex- 
tent ; in  some  instances  to  an  almost  entire  ignoring 
of  the  sacred  ministry  as  the  agency  for  teaching 
religious  truth,  reforming  the  evil  habits  of  men, 
and  spreading  the  glad  tidings  of  salvation  among 
the  nations  of  the  earth.  Many  and  various  are 
the  substitutes  for  the  ministry  of  divine  appoint- 
ment, which  have  of  late  years  been  invented  and 


4 


CHARGE. 


commended  to  public  favor ; not  perhaps  avowedly, 
but  practically.  In  the  advocacy  of  all  of  them,  a 
just  appreciation  of,  and  reverence  for  the  ministry 
have  been  seriously  impaired ; and  its  sufficiency 
for  the  work  of  evangelizing  the  world,  reforming 
prevailing  vices ; feeding  the  sheep  and  the  lambs 
of  Christ’s  flock,  and  building  up  the  members  of 
Christ  in  their  holy  faith,  questioned,  and  by  some 
denied  and  denounced. 

It  is  from  much  and  painful  observation  of  the 
injurious  effects  on  religion  and  morals  both,  pro- 
duced by  these  modern  innovations,  that  I deem  it 
my  duty  to  address  you  on  the  theme  I have  an- 
nounced. In  its  prosecution  your  attention  is  par- 
ticularly solicited  to  the  Scriptural  and  Historical 
evidence,  that  the  “ministry  of  reconciliation”  is 
not  only  the  divinely  appointed  instrumentality  for 
converting  and  reforming  the  world,  and  edifying 
the  Body  of  Christ ; but  the  only  instrumentality 
commended  to  us  for  that  purpose,  which  bears,  so 
to  speak,  the  broad  seal  of  heaven. 

This  instrumentality  was  originated  by  our  Lord 
and  Savior  Jesus  Christ,  Himself,  soon  after  He 
“began  to  preach,”  and  gather  disciples  around 
Him.  Certain  of  those  disciples  He  set  apart  and 
sent  as  the  ministers  of  His  word  and  ordinances, 
“while  he  was  yet  with  them,”  to  instruct,  guide, 
and  govern  them  in  their  work ; first  the  Twelve, 
afterwards  the  Seventy  also.  Thus  He  established 


CHARGE. 


the  principle  and  initiated  the  agency  of  the  com- 
missioned living  teacher  to  minister  in  His  church, 
and  admit  converts  into  it  by  baptism  ; for  we  read, 
“ Jesus  baptized  not,  but  his  disciples  to  proclaim 
His  actual  advent  and  the  inauguration  of  His  visi- 
ble spiritual  kingdom  on  earth  ; “ preach  repent- 
ance and  remission  of  sins  ” through  him  ; call  men 
to  faith  in  and  obedience  of  Him ; introduce  them 
into  the  consecrated  fold  over  which  He  proclaimed 
Himself  to  be  the  good  Shepherd ; ” and  there 
feed  them  with  “the  bread  of  life,”  and  nurture 
them  in  all  holiness  and  goodness. 

After  His  resurrection,  and  in  the  interval  be- 
tween that  event  and  His  ascension,  our  blessed 
Lord  inculcated  the  principle  more  definitely,  and 
renewed  the  appointment  under  more  impressive 
circumstances,  and  with  the  extension  of  official 
functions  and  authority.  “ All  power,”  said  He  “ is 
given  unto  me  in  heaven  and  in  earth.  Go  ye, 
therefore,  and  teach  all  nations,  baptizing  them  in 
the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the  Son,  and  of  the 
Holy  Ghost  : teaching  them  to  observe  all  things 
whatsoever  I have  commanded  you ; and  lo  ! I am 
with  you  always,  even  unto  the  end  of  the  world.” 
“ Go  ye  into  all  the  world  and  preach  the  gospel  to 
every  creature ; he  that  belie veth  and  is  baptized 
shall  be  saved,  and  he  that  believeth  not  shall  be 
damned.”  “ As  my  Father  hath  sent  me,  even  so 
send  I you.  And  when  he  had  said  this,  he 


6 


CHAKGE. 


breathed  on  them,  and  saith  unto  them  ‘Receive  ye 
the  Holy  Ghost whosoever  sins  ye  remit,  they  are 
remitted  unto  them  ; and  whosoever  sins  ye  retain, 
they  are  retained.’’ 

Such  was  the  principle  established,  the  purpose 
indicated,  and  the  instrumentality  initiated  by  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church  Himself,  for  establishing, 
extending,  and  perpetuating  that  Church,  His  visi- 
ble spiritual  kingdom  on  earth  ; and  for  carrying 
on  His  work  of  marvellous  grace.  It  was  an  exclu- 
sive instrumentality.  So  it  appears  on  the  face  of 
the  inspired  narrative,  and  in  all  the  circumstances 
of  its  institution.  We  perceive  no  intimation  and 
no  allowance  of  any  other.  In  His  Church,  and  by 
His  Church,  through  its  divinely  appointed  minis- 
try, and  the  divinely  appointed  ordinances  com- 
mitted unto  them  to  dispense,  the  work  of  convert- 
ing the  nations  was  to  be  accomplished,  and  “ a 
world  lying  in  wickedness  and  ready  to  perish,”  be 
enlightened,  instructed,  converted,  reformed,  and 
saved.  Living  teachers,  sent  of  Christ,  the  Lord, 
with  functions  designated  by  Him,  and  by  Him  en- 
dowed with  fitting  gifts  were  the  agents.  To  such, 
so  commissioned  and  qualified  for  the  work,  was 
the  work  committed ; and  to  none  else  or  beside. 

Our  Lord  and  Saviour  having  ascended  to  heaven, 
the  work  of  evangelizing  the  world,  with  the  govern- 
ment of  the  church,  and  the  perpetuation  of  its  min- 
istry was  devolved  on  “the  apostles  whom  he  had 


CHARGE. 


7 


chosen.”  What  was  their  teaching  and  what  their 
practice  in  the  premises  ? Do  we  discern  any  depar- 
ture from  His  instruction  and  example  ? Did  they 
not  adopt  and  act  upon  the  principle  in  its  integ- 
rity ? Is  there  in  the  practice  of  the  apostles  as 
recorded  in  the  book  of  their  Acts,  or  in  the  subse- 
quent teaching  of  certain  of  their  company  in  their 
epistles,  any  allowance,  any  intimation  of  any  other 
agency?  None  whatever.  At  the  very  outset  we 
find  them  perpetuating  their  own  order  of  the  min- 
istry as  a necessity,  and  doubtless  by  their  Lord’s 
command,  in  the  election  and  admission  of  Matthias, 
that,  as  they  declared,  he  “ might  take  part  of  this 
ministry  and  apostleship,  from  which  Judas,  by 
transgression  fell.”  Soon  after,  they  ordained 
seven  Deacons,  as  a subordinate  order  of  the  same 
ministry.  Subsequently,  certain  of  their -number 
are  related  to  have  “ ordained  elders,”  or  presby- 
ters, “in  every  city,”  for  the  work  of  the  ministry 
and  the  edifying  the  body  of  Christ,  His  one  vis- 
ible church,  as  it  was  extended  and  converts  were 
multiplied. 

The  ministry  of  divine  appointment  was  the  in- 
strumentality, and  the  sole  instrumentality,  em- 
ployed by  the  apostles  in  propagating  the  religion 
of  Christ,  the  gospel  of  his  grace.  Its  nature  and 
functions  may  be  gathered  in  part  from  the  brief 
narrative  of  the  ministry  of  St.  Philip,  one  of  the 
seven  deacons.  From  this  we  learn  that  it  con- 


8 


CHARGE. 


sisted  in  nacre  than  mere  preaching:  that  it  in- 
volved the  dispensing  of  “ordinances  of  Divine 
service,”  also.  “Philip  went  down  to  Samaria  and 
preached  Christ  unto  them.”  He  did  more  than 
this — he  baptized  also  all  who  received  and  be- 
lieved the  truths  he  taught.  Nor  was  this  all.  The 
work  he  performed  in  his  subordinate  order  was 
completed  by  the  apostles  St.  Peter  and  St.  John, 
of  the  highest  order;  who,  on  tidings  of  Philip’s 
successful  ministry  having  reached  the  apostles 
congregated  at  Jerusalem,  were  deputed  by  their 
associates  to  go  to  Samaria,  and  lay  their  hands 
upon  “those  whom  Philip  had  baptized,  and  who 
by  that  act  ‘ received  the  Holy  Ghost.’  ” Thus  we 
perceive  the  administration  of  a rite  as  the  supple- 
ment of  baptism,  and  an  authoritative  renewal  of 
the  gifts  and  grace  of  baptism,  constituting  a func- 
tion of  the  ministry,  and  restricted  to  the  Apostles; 
which,  on  the  authority  of  this  and  another  specific 
example  of  the  same  kind,  the  Church  has  ever 
since  retained,  and  calls  confirmation. 

In  the  interview  of  St.  Philip  with  the  Ethio- 
pian Eunuch,  immediately  after,  we  perceive  a far- 
ther illustration  of  the  nature  and  necessity  of  the 
ministry  as  the  Divine  instrumentality  for  the  con- 
version of  men.  “Understandest  thou  what  thou 
readest  ? How  can  I,  except  some  man  should 
guide  me?  Then  Philip  opened  his  mouth,  and 
began  at  the  same  time  scripture,  and  preached 


CHARGE. 


9 


unto  him  Jesus.”  And  when  the  convert,  thus  in- 
structed, confessed  his  faith  in  Christ,  and  proposed 
to  Philip  to  baptize  him,  he  did  not  say  “ Oh,  that 
is  of  no  consequence,  that  is  non-essential;  it  is  suf- 
ficient for  you  to  believe,”  but  he  immediately  in- 
itiated him  into  the  covenant  of  grace  and  salva- 
tion by  the  sacrament  of  baptism,  and  thus  added 
him  to  the  visible  church,  the  embodiment  of  that 
covenant. 

The  same  procedure  we  discern  in  other  recorded 
instances  of  conversion,  in  the  brief  narrative  of 
the  Acts  of  the  Apostles,  which  purport  to  relate, 
not  all  things  which  the  apostles  did,  but  only  some 
things,  and  they  of  the  most  consequence  in  their 
bearing  on  the  Christian  faith,  and  the  progress  of 
the  gospel.  As  it  was  with  the  Eunuch,  so  it  was 
with  St.  Paul,  Cornelius,  Lydia,  the  Jailor  at  Phil- 
lippi,  and  others.  On  the  confession  of  their  faith 
in  Christ,  baptism  was  immediately  administered 
to  them,  and  to  their  households  also,  when  they 
had  any,  including  their  children  and  dependants. 

Such  was  “the  ministry  of  reconciliation,”  in  its 
principle,  purpose,  and  practical  exercise,  in  the 
days  of  the  Apostles.  It  consisted  in  the  preach- 
ing of  the  word,  with  the  administration  of  the  sa- 
craments of  Christ’s  institution  and  commanded 
observance.  Without  such  an  exercise  of  the  min- 
istry, the  work,  in  the  estimation  of  the  inspired 

apostles,  was  necessarily  incomplete.  They  aimed 

2 


10 


CHARGE. 


in  their  ministry,  at  something  more  than  a 
mere  emotional  faith — something  more  definite  and 
permanent;  something  that  exemplified  their  faith 
and  obedience  both,  and  manifested  to  all  without 
their  union  with  Christ.  In  those  days  there  was 
never  presented  the  painful  spectacle,  which  to  an 
alarming  extent  is  presented  in  these  modern  days 
and  in  our  own  land,  as  the  result  of  the  undue  im- 
portance given  to  mere  preaching,  and  that  of  an 
exciting  and  emotional  kind;  and  of  the  deprecia- 
tion of  the  Christian  sacraments  as  the  divinely 
appointed  means  and  channels  of  grace  to  the  soul : 
the  melancholy,  the  inconsistent  spectacle  of  thou- 
sands in  communities  nominally  Christian,  and 
claiming  the  name  of  Christians,  living  and  dying 
unbaptized,  and  their  children  also;  and  never 
feeding  on  the  eucharistic  “bread  of  life,”  nor 
drinking  of  the  cup  of  salvation. 

The  teaching  of  St.  Paul  in  relation  to  the  sub- 
ject under  consideration,  is  direct  and  ample.  In 
his  opinion,  as  gathered  from  his  several  epistles, 
the  living  teacher,  endowed  with  authority  by  the 
great  Head  of  the  Church;  sent  by  those  whom  He 
had  commissioned  to  send^  was  designed  to  be,  and 
was  the  sole  instrumentality  in  the  moral  revolu- 
tion the  gospel  was  intended  to  accomplish.  For 
while  he  does  not  intimate  any  other  instrumental- 
ity, he  dwells  with  marked  emphasis  on  the  minis- 
try as  such  instrumentality,  expatiates  on  its  dig- 


CHARGE. 


11 


nity  and  responsibility,  and  in  this  sense,  “magni- 
fies the  office  ” committed  to  him  and  his  associates 
in  the  work.  It  is  unnecessary  to  multiply  instan- 
ces. They  must  be  familiar  to  you  all.  It  may  be 
well,  however,  to  adduce  a few  of  the  more  ])romi- 
nent.  Thus,  in  connection  with  his  memorable  dec- 
laration of  the  fullness  and  freeness  of  the  salva- 
tion revealed  and  prufifered  in  the  gospel,  that  “who- 
soever shall  call  on  the  name  of  the  Lord,  shall  be 
saved we  read,  “ How  then  shall  they  call  on  him 
in  whom  they  have  not  believed?  and  how  shall 
they  believe  in  him  of  whom  they  have  not  heard? 
and  how  shall  they  hear  without  a preacher  ? and 
how  shall  they  preach  except  they  be  sent  ?”  Then, 
as  to  the  office  itself,  its  nature,  purpose,  and  dig- 
nity ; “ Let  a man  so  account  of  us  as  the  ministers 
of  Christ,  and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God.” 
“ God  of  whom  are  all  thinsrs  * * * hath  aiven 

unto  us  the  ministry  of  reconciliation  * * * * 

Now  then,  we  are  ambassadors  for  Christ,  as  though 
God  did  beseech  you  by  us,  we  pray  you  in  Christ’s 
stead,  be  ye  reconciled  to  God.”  Then  of  himself 
and  his  associates,  in  contrast  with  the  Aaronic  min- 
istry, which  “ the  ministry  of  reconciliation  ” had 
superseded,  he  says — “ We  are  of  God  made  able 
ministers  of  the  Testament,”  of  the  “new  and  bet- 
ter covenant  founded  on  better  promises.”  He  di- 
rects the  church  at  Colosse  to  say  to  Archippus ; — 
“ Take  heed  to  the  ministry  which  thou  hast  re- 


12 


CHARGE. 


ceived  in  the  Lord,  that  thou  fulfill  it.  To  Timo- 
thy, who  had  been  invested  with  Apostolic  or  Epis- 
copal authority,  by  “the  laying  on  of  his” — St. 
Paul’s — “hands,”  he  exhorts,  “make  /kZ/  proof  of 
thy  ministry.” 

It  is  evident,  then,  from  the  scriptures  of  the 
New"  Testament,  incontrovertibly  evident,  that  “ the 
ministry  of  reconciliation,”  alone  and  exclusively, 
was  the  divinely  appointed  instrumentality  for 
evangelizing  the  w"orld ; that  in  the  days  of  the 
apostles  and  primitive  Christians,  no  other  instru- 
mentality w^as  know",  recognized,  or  conceived  ; that 
by,  and  through  it,  sinners  were  brought  to  repen- 
tance and  amendment  of  life,  were  converted,  and 
indoctrinated  in  “the  truth  as  it  is  in  Jesus  ;”  and 
this  being  done,  were  immediately  initiated  by  holy 
baptism  into  the  covenant  of  grace  and  salvation ; 
added  to  the  Church,  not  an  invisible  and  intangi- 
ble Church,  but  the  one  visible  Church  of  Christ  the 
Lord;  and  within  its  consecrated  pale  were  in- 
structed, nurtured  in  the  ways  and  works  of  godli- 
ness, built  up  in  their  most  holy  faith,  and  fed  with 
spiritual  aliment  in  “the  breaking  of  bread”  the 
eucharistic  sacrament ; and  in  the  worship  of  the 
Church,  by  the  preaching  of  the  word,  and  personal 
pastoral  care  and  watchfulness,  were  led  on  in  the 
way  of  eternal  life,  and  “ made  meet  for  the  inheri- 
tance of  the  saints  in  light.”  The  commissioned 
ministry,  “ went  every  where  preaching  the  word,” 


CHARGE. 


13 


ministering  the  word  and  sacraments ; and  thus, 
through  the  mighty  power  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
working  in  them  and  with  them,  sent  of  Christ,  to 
guide  them  into  all  truth  and  further  and  sanctify 
their  ministry,  the  Kingdom  of  God  in  its  visibil- 
ity was  established  and  extended  ; and  “the  grain 
of  mustard  seed  ” sown  by  its  great  and  glorious 
King,  made  to  germinate  and  expand  into  a monarch 
of  the  forest,  with  its  branches  overspreading  the 
earth. 

In  the  age  immediately  succeeding  the  apostles’ 
days,  and  in  the  subsequent  “ ages  all  along,”  we 
discern  no  change  in  the  principle  and  practice 
originated  by  our  blessed  Lord,  and  adopted  and 
followed,  as  we  have  seen,  by  the  apostles  immedi- 
ately commissioned  by  Him,  in  accordance  with 
His  instruction  and  example.  No  other  agency  be- 
side “the  ministry  of  reconciliation  ” was  known 
or  recognized.  The  work  was  carried  on  by  that 
ministry  in  its  several  orders,  and  in  a way  which 
no  other  but  those  divinely  commissioned  agents, 
endowed  with  official  gifts  and  grace  as  the}^  were, 
could  have  done,  and  with  such  results  as  followed 
their'  ministrations.  The  rapid  spread  of  Chris- 
tianity, which  realized  the  splendid  visions  of 
prophecy,  and  proved  it  to  have  originated  not  in 
man  but  in  God,  was  the  achievement  of  living- 
teachers,  bearing  a divine  commission  as  ambassa- 
dors for  Christ  to  a guilty  world.  It  was  a rapid 


14 


CHARGE. 


growth,  indeed,  a marvellous  increase,  from,  to  hu- 
man conception,  a most  humble,  inauspicious  and  un- 
promising beginning.  In  little  more  than  a century, 
the  light  of  evangelical  truth  had  penetrated  the  dark- 
ness of  the  ancient  heathenism  in  its  entire  limits. 
In  less  than  four  centuries  it  had  dispelled  that  dark- 
ness. The  idols  in  their  magnificent  temples,  adorned 
with  all  the  gorgeousness  of  Grecian  and  iloinan  art, 
were  overthrown,  and  their  shrines  deserted.  The 
false  oracles  were  sealed  in  eternal  silence ; and  the 
true  oracles,  the  oracles  of  God,  collected  together, 
and  endorsed  by  the  Church  Catholic  as  the  inspired 
scriptures,  and  read,  expounded  and  enforced  by 
living  teachers,  were  made  the  rule  of  faith  and 
duty,  and  the  authoritative  test  of  truth.  The  gos- 
pel in  its  illuminating  power  shone  forth  as  the  sun 
in  noontide  etfulgence.  The  kings  and  princes  of 
the  earth  had  come  to  the  brightness  of  its  culmi- 
nation. The  palace  of  the  Caesars  was  the  citadel 
of  the  faith.  The  occupant  of  the  imperial  throne 
was  its  disciple,  patron  and  defender.  His  empire 
at  that  period,  an  unit  in  the  sovereignty  of  the 
world,  heretofore  the  strong  hold  of  idolatry,  was 
in  all  its  extensive  provinces  and  dependencies  the 
domain  of  Christ;  in  religion,  in  laws,  in  influ- 
ences, an  integral  and  commanding  portion  of  the 
Kingdom  of  the  Prince  of  Peace. 

In  its  rapid  progress  and  its  permanent  conquest, 
the  gospel  as  embodied  in  the  Church,  and  “made 


CHARGE. 


15 


known  the  Church,”  through  its  divinely  com- 
missioned ministry,  demonstrated  itself  to  be  both 
“the  power  of  God  and  the  wisdom  of  God.”  The 
debasing  superstition  of  ages  melted  away  before 
the  light  and  warmth  of  “the  sun  of  righteousness 
risen  on  the  earth  with  healing  in  his  wings  be- 
fore the  personal  appeals  and  convincing  reasoning 
of  living  teachers  who  “ went  every  where  preaching 
the  word,”  and  ministering  in  their  several  colla- 
teral functions  to  all  who  believed  and  received  that 
word ; so  that  in  the  lapse  of  a few  centuries,  there 
was  left  neither  temple,  altar,  shrine,  nor  statue, 
dedicated  to  the  false  divinities  of  heathen  worship, 
and  only  here  and  there  a solitary  worshipper. 
“So  mightily  grew  the  word  of  God  and  pre- 
vailed.” 

Xow  in  this  moral  revolution,  the  living  teacher, 
the  minister  of  Christ,  was  not  only  a fact,  hut  a 
necessity.  Xo  other  instrumentality  could  have 
done  the  work  ; for  so  had  God  in  His  providence 
ordered  the  circumstances  which  marked  the  era  of 
the  gospel  dispensation.  Direct  personal  instruc- 
tion, 2^^1'suasion,  and  argument ; personal  inter- 
course and  example ; official  personal  authority, 
were  absolutely  required.  Commissioned  “ambassa- 
dors for  Christ ; men  set  apart  and  ordained  for  the 
purpose,  and  clothed  with  divine  authority,  were  in- 
dispensable agents  in  commending  the  religion  of 
the  Cross  to  acceptance, 'in  the  then  moral,  social. 


16 


CHARGP]. 


and  intellectual  condition  of  the  world.  For  it  had 
to  encounter  formidable,  and  seemingly  insuperable 
obstacles,  requiring  personal  effort  to  surmount  and 
overcome.  It  was  a religion,  not  only  novel  in  its 
principles  and  usages,  but  in  all  its  features  adverse 
to  all  existing  religions,  and  proclaimed  itself  to  be 
so.  It  sought  its  advancements,  not  by  com- 
promise or  attempted  affiliation  with  the  prevailing 
popular  systems,  but  by  their  entire  prostration  and 
annihilation.  It  inculcated  doctrines  and  enjoined 
precepts  utterly  opposed  to  the  cherished  passions, 
propensities,  habits  and  pleasures  of  a corrupt  na- 
ture. It  held  out  to  its  proselytes,  as  the  almost 
certain  consequences  of  embracing  it,  present  re- 
proach, affliction,  persecution,  and  death  in  its  most 
horrid  forms ; while  it  promised  them,  as  its  chief 
recompence,  a future,  distant,  and  except  to  the  ap- 
prehension of  faith,  an  inconceivable,  though  glori- 
ous reward.  It  proposed  as  the  object  of  their  faith, 
and  adoration,  an  object  the  most  revolting  to  hu- 
man pride,  a crucified  malefactor ; for  such  our 
blessed  Lord  appeared  to  those  who  knew  not  His 
claims  to  divinity.  Its  first  accredited  teachers,  in 
the  eye  of  the  world  its  originators  and  founders,  it 
did  not  conceal  were  Jewish  peasants,  “ poor  fisher- 
men of  Galilee,”  regarded  by  their  own  nation  as 
“ unlearned  and  ignorant  men,”  and  reviled,  de- 
nounced and  persecuted  us,  “ deceivers  of  the  peo- 
ple.” Under  such  untoward  circumstances,  with 


CHARGE. 


17 


every  thing  calculated  to  repel,  and  nothing  human 
to  attract,  there  was  a manifest  necessity  for  the 
living  teacher,  commissioned  by  God,  and  endowed 
with  divine  gifts,  to  meet  this  prejudice,  reproach, 
and  antagonism  ; convince  the  understanding  and 
inform  and  impress  the  mind  by  personal  instruc- 
tion and  reasoning ; and  then,  by  personal  appeals 
to  the  heart  and  conscience,  commend  the  gospel  to 
acceptance,  and  by  administering  its  “ordinances 
of  divine  service,”  embody  its  converts,  and  estab- 
lish it  in  their  practical  embrace. 

There  was  a further  necessity  for  this  particular 
agency.  Unlike  the  Mahomedan  imposture  of  a 
later  day,  the  religion  of  Christ  our  Lord,  did  not 
spring  up  in  an  age  of  intellectual  darkness  and 
mental  torpidity,  among  an  ignorant  and  unculti- 
vated people.  On  the  contrary  it  arose,  made  its 
way,  and  achieved  its  conquests,  amid  the  brilliant 
light  and  mental  activity  of  a classic  age ; in  the 
palmy  days  of  Grecian  and  Koman  cultivation.  Xor 
was  it  addressed  alone  or  chiefly,  to  the  ignorant 
and  unintelligent,  but  equally  to  the  educated  and 
intelligent.  In  this  refined  and  inquiring  age,  amid 
the  general  intellectual  culture  that  prevailed,  the 
gospel  was  promulged  to  the  world  ; mysterious  in 
its  doctrines,  ungenial  in  its  precepts,  sublime  yet 
inconceivable  in  its  hopes,  uncompromising  in  its 
demands,  claiming  to  be  a substitute  for  all  existing 

svstems  of  religion,  antagonistic  to  their  authority, 

3 


18 


CHAEGE. 


a direct  revelation  from  God.  It  appealed  to  the 
understanding  and  the  judgment,  as  well  as  to  the 
conscience  and  the  heart.  It  addressed  itself  to  the 
intellectual,  as  much  as  to  the  moral  and  emotional 
instincts  of  the  soul.  It  invited  examination,  chal- 
lenged investigation,  enjoined  its  ministers  and  their 
converts  to  he  “ always  ready  to  give  a reason  for 
the  hope  that  was  in  them.”  It  was  examined,  in- 
vestigated, sifted,  with  the  most  critical  severity, 
and  tried  by  the  most  stringent  tests.  ‘‘Subjected  to 
the  ordeal  of  a self-interested,  subtle,  prejudiced 
and  imperious  priesthood,  among  both  Jews  and 
Gentiles ; and  to  the  alembic  of  an  ingenious, 
acute,  jealous  and  proud  philosophy ; it  came  forth 
from  the  former  in  the  power  of  its  innate  truth  and 
divinity ; and  from  the  latter,  like  gold  from  the  re- 
finer’s fire,  with  surpassing  brilliancy  and  splendor.” 
Propounded,  explained,  advocoted  and  defended  by 
living  teachers,  divinely  commissioned  and  accred- 
ited, it  made  its  way  despite  of  all  opposing  obsta- 
cles, and  demonstrated  itself  to  be  “the  power  of 
God  unto  salvation  to  everv  one  that  belie veth 
the  long  desired  remedy  for  the  healing  of  the  na- 
tions ; the  very  medicament  which  philosophy  had 
sought,  but  sought  in  vain,  for  the  cure  of  moral 
evils  which  all  felt,  and  thoughtful  moralists  especi- 
ally deplored  ; but  which  unassisted  human  reason 
was  utterly  powerless  to  devise.  Stamped  with  the 
veritable  impress  of  heaven,  it  advanced  quietly, 


CHARGE. 


19 


unostentatiously,  but  surely,  until  it  became  a per- 
manence in  the  world,  diffusing  its  benign  influ- 
ence far  and  wide,  and  pervading  the  souls  of 
myriads,  once  distracted  and  despairing  under  the 
dominion  of  sin,  with  peace  and  joy  and  glorious 
hope. 

This  war  with  a world  polluted  and  imbruted  by 
sin  and  guilt,  was  waged,  successfully  and  triumph- 
antly waged,  by  the  ministry  of  reconciliation.” 
They  who  exercised  it  were  humble  and  unpretend- 
ing, save  in  official  authority ; weak  in  themselves, 
but  “strong  in  the  Lord  and  in  the  power  of  his 
might.”  The  “ weapons  of  their  warfare  were  not 
carnal  but  spiritual,  yet  mighty  to  the  pulling  down 
of  strong  holds,”  the  entrenchments  of  the  Evil 
One,  and  the  all  pervading  and  stubborn  wickedness 
he  had  engendered  and  perpetuated.  Armed  with 
the  panoply  of  Grod,  they  went  forth  boldly  and 
resolutely  to  the  conflict ; and  through  the  promised 
co-operatioii  of  the  Holy  Ghost  in  His  great  might, 
they  grappled  with  error,  superstition  and  sin  in  the 
zenith  of  their  power  and  influence,  deep  rooted  in 
the  moral  soil  by  centuries  of  unrestrained  indul- 
gence, and  came  off  conquerors. 

The  subsequent  progress  of  the  faith  and  Church 
of  Christ,  was  effected  by  the  same  divinely  ap- 
pointed instrumentality,  and  by  no  other.  For 
fifteen  centuries,  at  least,  the  principle  originated 
aud  the  agency  initiated  by  our  blessed  Lord,  Him- 


20 


CHARGE. 


self,  remained  unchanged,  without  a thought  or  con- 
ception of  any  other.  The  “ministers  of  Christ 
and  stewards  of  the  mysteries  of  God,”  dispensing 
the  word  and  sacraments,  were  the  only  recognized 
laborers  in  the  Lord’s  vineyard,  the  only  shepherds 
of  Christ’s  flock,  the  only  “ ambassadors  for  Christ” 
to  a guilty  world.  About  that  period,  a change,  for 
the  first  time,  was  attempted,  and  unauthorized 
men,  puffed  up  with  self-conceit  and  spiritual  pride, 
and  overflowing  with  fanatical  zeal,  thrust  them= 
selves  into  the  work,  denouncing  the  commissioned 
workmen  as  insufficient,  decrying  their  functions, 
repudiating  their  authority,  proclaiming  their  own 
superiority,  and  claiming  to  supersede  them  as 
teachers  and  guides  in  things  spiritual.  From  this, 
and  partaking  of  the  same  leaven,  have  sprung  the 
notion  and  the  action  of  other  and  independent 
agencies  of  various  kinds,  which  in  modern  days, 
and  particularly  within  the  past  forty  or  fifty  years, 
have  become  extensively  popularized ; and  have 
had  the  effect  to  lower  still  further  the  estimation 
of  God’s  divinely  appointed  ministry  and  throw  it 
practically  into  shade. 

But  unless  it  can  be  shown — and  this  is  not  even 
pretended,  except  in  the  very  madness  of  fanaticism 
which  has  possessed  certain  sects — unless  it  can  be 
shown  that  a new  revelation  from  heaven  has  been 
made,  establishing  a new  principle,  inaugurating 
another  practice,  and  authorizing  other  agencies ; 


CHARGE. 


21 


the  ministry  of  divine  institution  remains,  and 
must  of  necessity  remain,  the  only  legitimate  in- 
strumentality for  evangelizing  the  world,  and  ex- 
tending and  perpetuating  the  visible  Kingdom  .of 
Christ,  in  its  several  branches,  the  one  holy,  catholic, 
and  apostolic  Church  of  the  living  Grod,  “ the  pillar 
and  ground  of  truth.” 

Such  an  instrumentality,  “ the  ministry  of  recon- 
ciliation” has  ever  proved,  and  is  proving  itself  to  be, 
by  its  results.  The  victories  of  the  Cross,  in  later  as 
in  the  earlier  days  of  Christianity,  have  been  won 
mainly  by  its  commissioned  soldiers  and  servants, 
weilding  God’s  weapons,  and  not  man’s.  In  every 
part  of  the  world,  living  teachers  sent  of  Christ  the 
Lord,  mediately,  by  those  invested  by  Him  with 
authority  to  send,  have  chiefly  done  the  work  that 
has  been  accomplished.  We  have  only  to  survey 
the  field,  and  examine  the  details  of  the  enterprize 
for  the  past  half  century,  to  be  satisfied  of  this. 
In  countries  nominally  Christian,  where  the  work, 
as  in  England  and  its  dependencies  and  in  this 
country,  has  been  so  signally  revived  ; and  in  hea- 
then lands  which  has  called  forth  so  much  Christian 
sympathy  and  charitable  effort ; the  gospel,  as  em- 
bodied in  the  Church,  has  been  spread  most  surely 
and  successfully  and  embraced  and  established  in 
the  hearts  of  men  most  permanently,  through  the 
agency  of  “the  ministers  of  Christ  and  stewards  of 
the  mysteries  of  God.”  They  in  their  several  of- 


CHARGE. 


‘i2 

fices  and  functions  have  been  the  moving  and  effi- 
cient power.  All  other  agencies  of  man’s  inven- 
tion ; ^ the  best  of  them  greatly  exaggerated  as  to 
their  influence  and  effects,  in  “Annual  Reports ’’and 
by  platform  orators  at  the  popular  May  gatherings 
of  modern  days,  are  at  the  farthest  only  auxiliary, 
and  can  be  nothing  more.  Some  few  of  them,  Grod 
m.Ry  have  blessed  to  some  extent;  this  is  not  denied ; 
but  He  hath  blessed  and  continues  to  bless  Plis  own 
appointed  agency  far  more.  Results  prove  this; 
and  from  the  very  nature  and  peculiar  functions  of 
such  agency  must  be  the  case.  Instituted  and  or- 
dained by  the  great  Head  of  the  Church  Himself ; 
to  promulge  and  perpetuate  his  religion  in  the 
world  as  holy  scripture  clearly  teaches,  it  must  of 
necessity  be  the  means  best  adapted  and  most 
likely  to  advance  the  enterprize  and  secure  the  end ; 
promote  and  conserve  all  that  is  truly  reformatory 
and  of  virtuous  and  godly  influence  ; contend  suc- 
cessfully in  the  battle  with  sin  and  with  the  powers  of 
darkness  ; and  diffuse  most  surely  and  extensively 
the  glorious  gospel  of  the  grace  of  God,  in  its  illu- 
minating, converting,  reforming,  purifying  energy, 
throughout  the  world. 

It  is  our-  privilege,  beloved  brethren,  “to  have 
part  in  this  ministry ; ” to  share  in  this  divinely 
appointed  instrumentality.  Be  it  our  care  to  form 
and  cherish  a right  estimate  of  its  nature,  purpose, 
and  responsibility;  ever  “ having  in  remembrance 

■^•Appendix.  Note  A. 


CHARGE. 


23 


into  how  high  a dignity,  and  to  how  weighty  an  office 
and  charge  we  are  called.”  Mindful  that  we  have 
this  “treasure  in  earthen  vessels,  that  the  excellency 
of  the  power  may  be  of  God  and  not  of  us  while 
we  sedulously  repress  all  personal  pride  and  vain 
glory,  and  cultivate  and  cherish  humbleness  of 
mind  ; it  becomes  us,  nevertheless,  so  to  “ magnify 
our  office  ” to  ourselves,  as  to  create  an  influential 
and  abiding  motive  to  discharge  it  with  all  diligence 
and  fidelity  ; to  “make  full  proof  of  our  ministry;” 
and  “ by  manifestation  of  the  truth  ” in  its  integrity 
and  with  earnestness  in  its  advmcacy  and  enforce- 
ment, “commend  ourselves  to  every  man’s  con- 
science in  the  sight  of  God.”  Avoiding  all  extra- 
neous topics,  especially  such  as  have  a bearing  on 
the  political  discussions  of  the  day,  and  the  various 
“isms”  which  agitate  the  public  mind,  let  our 
theme  be,  in  itself  and  its  correlatives,  only  “Jesus 
Christ  and  Him  crucified,”  “the  way,  the  truth, 
and  the  life.”  Thus  let  us  dispense  the  sacred 
treasure  of  which  we  are  the  commissioned  “ stew- 
ards ;”  thus  “hold  forth  the  word  of  life.”  Let  the 
admonition  of  the  inspired  apostle  to  Timothy,  his 
“own  son  in  the  gospel,”  be  deeply,  constantly,  and 
profitably  impressed  on  our  minds,  as  at  once  an 
incentive  and  guide  to  our  duty  ; “ neglect  not  the 
gift  that  is  in  thee  ; stir  up  the  gift  of  God  which 
is  in  thee  by  putting  on  of  my  hands  ; by  the  laying 
on  of  the  hands  of  Iffie  presbytery.*  Meditate  upon 

^Appendix.  Note  B. 


24 


CHARGE. 


these  things  ; give  thyself  wholly  to  them,  that  thy 
profiting  may  appear  to  all.  Take  heed  unto  thy- 
self and  unto  the  doctrine ; continue  in  them ; for 
in  doing  this,  thou  shalt  save  thyself  and  them  that 
hear  thee.  Study  to  show  thyself  approved  unto 
God,  a workman  that  needeth  not  to  be  ashamed, 
rightly  dividing  the  word  of  truth.  But  shun  pro- 
fane and  vain  babblings ; for  they  will  increase  to 
more  ungodliness.  I charge  thee,  therefore,  before 
God  and  the  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who  shall  judge  the 
quick  and  the  dead  at  his  appearing  and  his  King- 
dom ; joreach  the  word  ; be  instant  in  season,  out 
of  season;  reprove,  rebuke,  exhort,  with  all  long- 
suffering  and  doctrine.” 

Kor  is  this  all  our  duty.  Far  from  it.  What 
our  blessed  Lord  said  of  and  to  His  immediate 
ministering  servants  while  he  was  yet  with  them,” 
He  says  of  and  to  us,  their  official  successors.  “Ye 
are  the  light  of  the  world.  Let  your  light  so  shine 
before  men,  that  they  may  see  your  good  works,  and 
glorify  your  Father  who  is  in  heaven.”  These 
significant  words  express  and  enforce  the  necessity 
and  obligtion  of  a consistent  life  and  conversation 
in  the  ministers  of  Christ;  and  at  the  same  time 
contain  a warning  against  indolence  and  negligence 
in  the  discharge  of  our  official  functions.  Of  what 
use  is  light  if  it  be  hidden,  or  in  any  degree  ob- 
scured ? We  must  let  our  light  shine;  and  so  shine 
as  to  attract  men  to  Christ,  and  lead  them  to  glorify 


CHARaE. 


25 


God  in  the  obedience  of  faith.  We  who  are  com- 
missioned of  Christ  to  teach  His  holy  will  to  others, 
must  take  earnest  heed  that  we  do  that  will  our- 
selves in  all  things ; that  our  light  be  a clear,  bril- 
liant, and  attractive  radiance,  and  not  an  ignis 
fatuus,  leading  astray  and  misguiding  those,  whom 
it  is  our  province  and  our  solemn  engagement,  to 
guide  in  the  paths  of  righteousness,  and  for  whose 
“ souls  we  watch  as  those  who  must  give  account.” 
While  we  preach  to  others,  we  need  to  preach  to 
ourselves  ; — oh  how  much  we  need  to  do  so ! — 
reminding  ourselves,  that  to  be  formally  the  light 
of  the  world  is  easy,  but  to  be  truly  so,  is  not  easy, 
is  difficult,  is  the  fruit  of  faith  and  prayer  and  earn- 
est searching  of  heart ; that  a life  of  practical  god- 
liness is  not  only  the  test  of  our  sincerity,  but  an 
indispensable  instrument  to  any  hope  of  success  and 
usefulness ; that  by  this,  which  springs  from  pious 
principle,  sanctified  affections,  and  holy  desires  and 
purposes,  we  cause  our  light  to  shine  so  as  to  attract  to 
the  Saviour,  and  not  repel ; so  as  to  tell  influentially 
to  the  conviction,  conversion  and  edification  of  those 
to  whom  we  minister,  and  to  the  advancement  of 
the  holy  cause,  of  which  we  are  the  divinely  com- 
missioned promoters,  defenders  and  conservators. 

Be  it  our  care,  then,  beloved  brethren,  to  give  to 
the  truths  we  teach,  and  the  grace  and  salvation  we 
proffer  in  the  name  and  in  behalf  of  Christ  our  Lord, 

the  full  benefit  of  a consistent  Christian  example, 

4 


26 


CHARGE. 


and  by  our  life  and  doctrine,  set  forth  His  true  and 
lively  word,  and  rightly  and  duly  administer  His 
holy  sacraments.”  Let  us  commend  the  gospel  we 
appeal  to  men  to  embrace  and  obey,  by  showing 
that  we  ourselves  are  obeying  it  in  the  integrity  of 
its  demands  ; that  it  is  making  us  more  and  more 
humble,  devout,  gentle,  kind,  compassionate,  dili- 
gent and  zealous ; more  and  more  Grod  fearing,  and 
less  and  less  man  fearing ; more  and  more  men  of 
prayer,  as  well  as  men  of  action.  If  these  and  kin- 
dred fruits  of  faith  and  of  the  Holy  Spirit,  are 
manifested  in  our  personal  example,  who  can  meas- 
ure their  salutary  influence  ? Who  can  set  a limit 
to  their  effect  in  winning  immortal  souls  to  Christ, 
and  in  attracting  guilty,  perishing  sinners,  to  the 
life-giving,  healing  and  purifying  fountain  opened 
in  Him  for  “ sin  and  for  uncleanness  ? ” But,  how 
awful  will  be  our  condemnation,  if  any  are  led 
astray,  or  drawn  into  sinful  compliances,  or  hindered 
in  their  approach  to  Him  who  is  alone  able  to  save, 
or  confirmed  in  sin,  impenitence,  and  unbelief,  by 
any  inconsistencies  on  our  part,  any  vicious  habits, 
any  worldliness  and  palpable  ungodliness,  any  ap- 
athy, indifference  and  negligence  ? It  is  the  inner 
life,  in  its  reflex  influence  on  the  outer  life,  that  tells 
on  our  ministry.  . Let,  then,  the  inner  life  in  our- 
selves, be  a permanent  object  of  attention  and  culti- 
vation ; the  subject  of  earnest,  fervent,  importunate, 
constant  prayer,  with  corresponding  watchfulness. 


CHAKGE. 


27 


Let  us  ever  bear  in  monitory  remembrance  what 
we  are,  and  whose  we  are ; and  in  the  discharge  of 
the  work  devolved  on  us,  see  to  it,  that  our  life  and 
doctrine  correspond  ; “ giving  no  offence  in  anything 
that  the  ministry  be  not  blamed  but  in  all  things 
endeavoring  to  approve  ourselves  to  God  as  His 
true  and  faithful  agents  in  proclaiming  His  grace 
and  truth,  and  in  advancing,  building  up,  and  ex- 
tending His  spiritual  Kingdom.  Then,  when  our 
work  is  done,  and  we  are  summoned  to  give  an  ac- 
count of  our  stewardship,  we  may  indulge  the  con- 
soling hope  of  approval  and  reward  from  the  Chief 
Shepherd  of  the  Sheep,  and  of  hearing  the  precious 
words  of  welcome  to  His  presence  and  His  glory, 
“Well  done,  good  and  faithful  servants,  enter  ye 
into  the  joy  of  your  Lord.”  Amen. 


J^T»PEND.TX 


NOTE  A— Pace  22. 

All  other  Agencies,  The  circulation  of  the  Bible  without  note  or  com- 
ment is  one  of  these  agencies,  and  prominent  in  position  and  influence. 
Originating  in  a desire  to  promote  union  among  Christians  of  every  name 
in  its  mode  of  operation;  a union  which  as  yet  has  never  been  accom- 
plished; and  never  can  be,  except  in  the  unity  of  the  one  visible  Body  of 
Christ,  the  Church  of  His  divine  institution,  recognizing  one  ministry  of 
His  appointment;  “one  Lord,  one  faith,  one  baptism,  one  God,  and 
Father  of  all ;”  and  setting  out  with  great  pretensions  to  be  liberal.  Catho- 
lic and  unsectarian,  it  caught  the  fancy  and  imagination  extensively, 
from  the  start,  and  on  this  professed  basis,  has  commended  itself  to  a large 
share  of  popular  favor.  The  claims  made  in  its  behalf  as  an  instrumen- 
tality for  evangelizing  the  world  are  and  have  ever  been  extravagant,  and 
unwarranted  by  actual  results.  That  it  has  done  some  good  is  admitted  ; 
but  then  it  must  have  been  alone  among  those  who  could  read,  which  a 
vast  majority  of  those  who  receive  the  Bible  as  a gift  or  obtain  it  by  pur- 
chase, can  not.  And  those  who  can  read  it,  are  for  the  most  part  in  the 
condition  of  the  Ethiopian  Eunuch,  who  when  asked,  “ Understandest  thou 
what  thou  readest?”  replied,  “How  can  I except  some  man  should  guide 
me  ?”  This  guidance,  therefore,  is  a necessity ; and  it  is  met  by  the 
agents  employed  in  its  circulation,  and  who  for  the  most  part  are  of  one 
class  of  religionists;  who  give  their  guidance  their  own  denominational 
hue ; and  if  they  are  honest  in  their  doctrinal  views,  are  not  perhaps  to 
be  faulted  for  thus  guiding  those  whom  they  address  into  what  they  be- 
lieve to  be  the  truth.  But  to  carry  out  the  professed  purpose  of  this 
agency,  they  ought  to  be  silent  distributors.  In  this  way,  therefore, 
through  these  commenting  agents,  the  plausible  pretensions  of  the  Bible 
Society,  are  manifestly  violated,  and  through  the  comments  given, — and 
that  they  are  given  is  notorious — its  boasted  purpose  of  circulating  the 
unadulterated  word  of  God,  without  note  or  comment,  is  seriously  perverted, 
and  made  practically  a lie. 

The  distribution  of  Religious  Tracts,  “ the  Tract  Cause  ” as  it  is  called, 
is  another  popular  agency,  in  behalf  oL which  very  extravagant  claims  are 
put  forth,  and  that  to  the  depreciation  of  the  ministry  as  the  instrumentality 
for  converting  the  world.  It  is  to  be  done  by  the  circulation  of  Tracts 
say  its  advocates.  They  can  penetrate  where  the  ministers  of  the  gospel 
can  not  go.  Yet  like  the  former,  it  is  manifest,  they  can  be  useful  only  to 
such  as  can  read.  And  they  who  can  not  read ; unless  a few  printed 


30 


APPENDIX. 


leaves  bearing  the  impress  of  the  American  Tract  Society  possess  some 
magical  pawer^?er  se,  need  a teacher;  which  teacher  they  get  in  the  dis- 
tributing agent.  Professing  to  inculcate  only  such  doctrines  as  all  evan- 
gelical Christians  agree  upon,  excluding  all  sectarian  peculiarities,  they 
teach,  to  say  the  least,  an  eclectic  gospel,  and  present  the  truth  not  as  it 
is  in  Jesus  in  its  entireness,  but  in  vague  generalities.  Such  is  the  case 
in  profession.  While  practically,  this  agency  like  the  former,  in  perver- 
sion of  its  professed  purpose,  does,  nevertheless,  in  its  mode  of  operation, 
through  the  colporteurs  and  other  agents  employed,  teach  doctrinal  and 
denominational  peculiarities;  these  agents  being  all,  or  chiefly  of  one  or 
two  sects,  only  slightly  differing  in  their  notions  and  usages,  and  invari- 
ably inculcating  their  own  religious  views  and  opinions,  and  discoursing 
in  the  Shibboleth  of  their  sects.  It  may  have  done  good;  it  may  be  doing 
good;  it  ought  to  have  done  something  to  repay  the  immense  expenditure 
annually  lavished  upon  it.  But  the  good  it  has  done,  and  is  doing,  is  of  a 
very  questionable  and  uncertain  character ; certainly  undeserving  of  the 
extravagant  laudation  commonly  bestowed  upon  it. 

Temperance  associations,  constitute  another  popular  agency ; organized 
and  advocated  on  the  utterly  false  pretence,  that  the  Church  and  ministry 
were  not  only  inadequate,  but  powerless,  in  arresting  the  one  solitary  vice, 
and  promoting  the  one  solitary  virtue,  which  they  contemplate.  The 
Church  and  ministry,  therefore,  are  depreciated  as  insufficient,  and  by 
many  repudiated  and  denounced ; and  all  virtue  and  all  piety  made  to 
consist,  not  in  temperance,  which  implies  the  moderate  use,  but  in  total 
abstinence  from  all  intoxicating  liquors,  extending  to  wine  in  the  participa- 
tion of  the  Lord’s  Supper.  A pledge  of  total  abstinence  is  regarded  as  more 
efficient  in  restraining  men  from  intemperance,  than  the  vows  and  prom- 
ises of  baptism  ; and  reformed  drunkards,  fresh  from  their  debauch,  better 
lecturers  on  morals  than  God’s  appointed  ministers;  and  the  pulpit  a 
proper  place  for  the  relation  of  their  drunken  experience. 

Of  late,  moreover,  another  agency  has  sprung  up  and  been  initiated  in 
some  of  our  large  cities,  and  particularly  in  the  West;  a new  order  of  ' 
spiritual  Knight  Errants,  composed  chiefly  of  young  men,  though  aided  and 
abetted  by  older  but  not  wiser  men.  With  no  qualifications  save  fluency 
of  speech,  inordinate  self-conceit  and  indomitable  spiritual  pride,  they  not 
only  ignore  the  ministry,  but  boldly  decry  it  as  inefficient ; and  thrusting 
themselves  forward  in  their  unauthofized  ministrations,  harangue  in  the 
public  places  of  the  city,  traverse  the  country,  preaching,  exhorting  and 
exercising  their  gifts,  leading  at  “business  men’s  prayer  meetings,”  so 
called,  and  other  similar  gatherings.  Merchants  leaving  their  counting 
houses,  and  sometimes  grave  and  learned  Judges  forsaking  their  seats  on 
the  bench,  are  found  actively  engaged  as  leaders  in  this  crusade,  aiding 
and  abetting  this  novel  agency  purely  of  man’s  invention,  conducting  this 
“Flying  Artillery,”  as  it  is  sometimes  called,  in  its  perambulations;  hold- 
ing meetings  for  preaching  and  praying  independent  of  and  in  opposition  . 
to  the  ministry,  and  denouncing  all  who  hesitate  to  admit  their  preten- 


APPENDIX. 


31 


sions  and  refuse  to  unite  with  them,  as  unconverted  and  ungodly,  and  in 
certain  peril  of  damnation.  Suppose  a minister  should  enter  the  counting 
house  of  a merchant,  with  other  ministers,  and  say — “We  know  more 
about  your  business  than  you  do,  and  can  conduct  it  with  more  efficiency; 
go  home,  and  leave  your  mercantile  transactions  to  us.”  Or,  suppose  the 
same  to  approach  a Judge  on  the  bench  and  say — “We  understand  the 
law  and  its  administration  far  better  than  you  do.  Retire  and  make  way 
for  us;  or  remain  and  see  how  much  better  we  can  administer  the  law  and 
dispense  justice,  than  you.”  What  in  either  case  would  be  the  answer? 
Yet  the  assumption  and  presumption  are  the  same,  and  the  parallel  strictly 
just;  except  that  ministers  might  with  far  greater  propriety  and  more 
abundant  reason,  rebuke  the  interference,  and  bid  the  offender  mind  his 
own  business. 

Nothing  in  the  preceding  remarks,  however,  is  intended  to  disparage 
true  lay  co-operation,  particularly  in  the  parochial  work.  In  its  genuine- 
ness its  advantages  are  manifest,  in  strengthening  the  hands  of  the  pas- 
tor and  aiding  him  in  his  arduous  work.  If  there  was  any  doubt  in  this 
respect,  it  must  be  removed  by  the  practical  example  of  lay  co-operation, 
and  its  telling  results,  in  a recent  instance  near  Philadelphia,  in  the 
parish  of  St.  iMarks  Church,  Frankfort.  It  is  to  be  hoped  that  example 
will  be  extensively  followed,  modified  perhaps  to  suit  different  circum- 
stances, but  in  the  main  carried  out.  The  clergy  in  this  diocese  will  find 
such  an  organization  a valuable  auxiliary  in  their  parochial  labors,  and  it 
is  earnestly  commended  to  their  attention. 

NOTE  B— Page  23. 

With  the  laying  on  of  the  hands,  ^'c. — The  gift  and  authority  of  the  min- 
istry was  communicated  to  Timothy  and  was  in  him  by  the  laying  on  of 
the  hands  of  St.  Paul,  with  the  laying  on  of  the  hands  of  the  presbytery. 
This  is  the  usage  of  our  branch  of  the  Church  as  also  of  other  reformed 
branches  o/the  Church,  in  the  ordination  of  Priests,  derived  it  may  be 
supposed  from  this  example.  The  Bishop  in  the  ordination  of  Deacons 
lays  on  hands  alone.  In  the  ordination  of  Priests  he  is  assisted  by  one 
or  more  Presbyters.  He  by  the  laying  on  of  his  hands  conveys  the  min- 
isterial gift  and  commission;  they  lay  on  hands  together  with  him,  not  as 
conveying  any  ,{iuthority,  but  to  signify  their  assent  and  consent  to  the 
ordination. 


